You know that box is here, somewhere. You saw it when you were looking for a *different* collection years ago. You just can’t…find it. What you did find was a handful of unprocessed accessions and a section of your stacks space packed way beyond conservation standards. These situations are not all that uncommon throughout archival institutions. Many are constantly grappling with space constraints, dated accessioning practices, and the never-ending flow of incoming materials. Good management of space is key not only to collection storage, but in the accessioning of new, unprocessed materials. Best practices in accessioning workflows and records also go hand-in-hand with the physical management of the materials and can shape how an accessioning program operates. How do archivists or processing professionals address all three of these pinch points in a meaningful way, what/where are the gaps in the management of space? How do we end the continuous cycle of space crunches and accessioning backlogs?
This session will reflect and highlight how intellectual and physical control was regained through inventory work and led to new accessioning workflows. The University of Iowa, with remnants of a choose-your-own-adventure style of management, has a never-ending, forever-changing space management project to address a list of issues. At Iowa State University, a stack read to better understand the processing and accessioning backlog led to changes regarding retrospective accessioning legacy materials. And at the American Library Association Archives how did a 580-plus box accession go awry during the pandemic, and what was its resulting impact.
Speakers Jessica Green, Iowa State University (Session Chair) Cara Setsu Bertram, American Library Association Archives Jenna Silver, University of Iowa
