Archival Inventory Project

The Stearns History Museum (SHM) was founded in 1936 and began collecting 3D objects and 2D archival materials that same year. Throughout SHM’s history, an inventory of the archival holdings has never been completed. The Archival Inventory Project had five main goals. First, the inventory provided an overview of their holdings in greater detail. Second, it identifed gaps in the collection. Third, the project maximized limited resources for collections care by identifying materials in need of conservation. Fourth, ensure staff can better utilize the holdings for exhibitions, programs, and outreach. Finally, the inventory allows for improved access to the collections by staff and the audiences they serve.

They now have a current list of every archival item or folder level in regards to the most recently processed materials. This will benefit researchers, staff, genealogists, and students who visit SHM. Their ability to process new collections has improved by utilizing their recently created manual and spreadsheets. These successes will only assist our efforts to select a new catalog software that benefits not only present users but those in the future.