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John Hay Library Survey

Survey Process

Summary

The survey project involves many moving parts, large amounts of student works, and collaboration across Brown University Library’s various departments.  Due to the vast scope and time-sensitive nature of the project, the survey involves many moving parts and several processes. The main components of the survey include:

Flagging

  • Determining scope and appraisal
  • Collection flag creation
  • Creation of collection spreadsheet 
  • Matching flags to the correct item while noting cataloging discrepancies
  • Noting items for conservation and preservation treatment 
  • Survey staff completing cataloging discrepancies 

Inventory and Processing

  • Identifying inventory or collection backlog for processing 
  • Depending on collection material, items are organized accordingly by student workers
  • Factors determining, items are either kept on-site or sent to off-site Annex

Preparing items to be sent offsite (the Annex)

  • Collection is selected based on number of items, item size (items taller than 42 cm do not fit within Annex space), and condition
  • Collection is flagged and sent to the Bindery for preservation work
    • ordering/building/creating boxes and other protective enclosure
  • Collection is transferred to the Annex

Other tasks 

  • Processing and organizing collection to clean-up backlog
  • Inventory of collections
  • Identifying collections for reappraisal and deaccessioning 
  • Stack shifting/re-organization