Archival
Appraisal Criteria for Personal Papers
All personal
papers given or sold to the Archives and Special Collections should
be reviewed using these criteria. The criteria here should be used,
for the most part, to review the collection as a whole or at the
series level not individual records. The criteria should also be
used in conjunction with the document type lists. While all papers/series
should be reviewed using these criteria, papers/series containing
those documents falling into categories II and III should be analyzed
with the greatest care.
A. Content
Analysis: Quality of information within the papers.
1. Significance
of Subject.
In general,
how well do the papers document the life and activities of the individual(s)
represented in the papers and how does the information in the papers
compliment or add important information to the holdings of the Archives
and Special Collections.
- Do the
papers contain information about significant periods in the
life/lives and career(s) of the individuals represented in the
papers?
- Are the
interests, values, and experiences of the individuals documented
in the papers?
- Do the
papers contain significant information about other people, events,
trends, and topics related to the history of Mount Holyoke College?
- Are the
interests, values, and experiences of the Mount Holyoke College
community well represented?
- Do the
papers contain significant information by or about individuals
of local, national, or international importance?
- Are significant
local, national or international events, trends, and topics
described?
- Do the
papers provide information, insight, or perspectives not documented
by other papers currently maintained by the archives?
- Do the
papers contain documentation about family or individuals that
would be useful to genealogical researchers?
- Does the
information in the papers complement other papers or records
in the collection?
2. Quality
of Documentation.
- Do the
papers cover a wide range of subject areas or one particular
subject?
- Is the
information in the papers detailed or general?
- How closely
related is the creator of the records to the subjects documented?
- Are the
papers primarily made up of original source materials, transcriptions
or secondary sources?
- How complete
are the records?
- Do
they cover the entire of life of the creator or other individual(s)
represented?
- Are
the significant gaps in the time period covered?
- Do
the gaps limit or impair the completeness of the documentation?
C. Object
Analysis.
- Do the
papers contain documents that have intrinsic value such as a
particularly significant or revered document?
- Do the
papers contain documents that have intrinsic value because the
importance of the author or an original signature.
- Are there
physical forms, materials, or designs of within the papers that
are unique, special, or important?
- Is the
medium upon which significant information recorded difficult
to access or preserve?
- Condition.
- Is
the record intact?
- Will
conservation measures be necessary?
- Is
the value, accessibility, or reliability of the record’s
content affected by its condition?
D. Accessibility
and Use.
- Assess
the anticipated use of the materials based on past reference
activity and the significance and popularity of the topic.
- Assess
the potential increase in the value of the papers to future
researchers.
- Are there
donor, legal or College imposed restrictions on the use of the
records?
- Can the
archives preserve and use the papers in their original format?
If not, does an alternative format affect the value of the record
and the information it contains?
E. Cost Benefit
Analysis.
- Does the
value of the papers, especially compared with current holdings,
warrant the time, cost, and space that will be required to maintain
them?
- Does the
value of the papers justify the application of needed conservation
measures?
- Can the
archives adequately store and access the papers?
- Does accessing
the information on the record require the acquisition of special
equipment or materials?
|
