Archival Collection Arrangement and Description

Hennepin History Museum consistently met, and even exceeded, the targets for this project. The arrangement and description project that was completed by our Processing Archivists through this grant allowed us to gain both intellectual and physical control over almost 130 linear feet of our large box archival collections. We implemented new policies and procedures, engaged on social media and created rotating displays so that casual visitors could also have access to our collections.

Short Term Expected Impact: The archive will gain physical and intellectual control over our 27 most historically significant large box collections we hold and develop a plan to arrange and describe collections of these types.
oAll 27 collections are appropriately processed and housed.
oAll 27 collections have completed finding aids available to the public, both onsite and electronically.
oAll 27 collections are entered into our PastPerfect database and searchable by staff.
oThe newly created Archival Collection Processing Policy outlines the required steps to arrange and describe the museum?s archival collections. It was used by the Processing Archivists on this project and can continue to be used by future Processing Archivists, staff and volunteers.

Intermediate Term Expected Impact: The Archivist will track how frequently each collection is used and add the data to the research request tracking software.
oTo better track ongoing researcher data, the archives began using Trello to track patron research requests. This software will allow us to enter and track a greater range of patron data, which will help us understand our collection use patterns.

Long Term Expected Impact: With a better organized collection, the archive will increase its level of professionalism, reputation and usability by ensuring that collections are being properly processed and made accessible to researchers. Knowing what we have will help us identify collecting goals for the future.
oThe archivist and museum director determined that the goal of processing 35% of the large box collections was met.
oThe archivist and the director reviewed the remaining collections list with the Museum Programs Team (representing public programs, exhibits, and magazine), who made recommendations on how to prioritize the remaining collections for processing during Phase Two of our project, pending approval during the next large grant cycle.