Scope: A processing plan documents the rationale for work performed on a collection, and allows for transparency of practice among archivists and between archivists and users. Consider it as a roadmap, or a contract between the processor and the repository.
Contact: Technical Services Archivist Katerina Dimitriadou-Shuster Fredrika Louise Loew
Unit: ATS / RMC
Date last updated: 3/11/2025
Date of next review:
Once a Pre-processing plan has been completed (if needed), the archivist writes a processing plan (Download below, or find in the X:drive>RMC>Archival Processing folder). Processing plans are updated intermittently and can function as internal documentation to provide continuity in times of staff changes. They can assist in the project management of work on a particular collection, especially a large one where work is shared by a number of staff and/or student workers. In many cases, research done for processing plans can be used in (or used as) a finding aid.
Once the supervisor and curator sign off on the plan, the archivist can begin processing the collection. The processing plan is added to while processing.
Archivists should refer to the processing plan template when writing a processing plan.
Generally, it includes:
- Outline of proposed arrangement options. Final arrangement decisions usually are determined while processing, as the papers are more carefully examined.
- Overview of processing needs - Determine the level of processing required to provide researcher access to the collection. The more granular a level of access, the more RMC resources are required. Records requiring a detailed level of processing should have substantial research value. If in doubt, consult the curatorial specialist or archivist.
- Summary of the work required, including explanation of any unusually time-consuming tasks. The proposal may specify which tasks can be assigned to processing assistants and students.
- Estimate of the amount of time required to complete all work on the collection, including post-processing tasks. A preliminary processing calendar may also be required, including milestones for completion of portions of the collection.
- List of any special or unusually voluminous archival supply needs (alert the Supplies Manager of any ordering needs)
- Overview of preservation concerns, with mention of significant (i.e., costly/time consuming) conservation needs.
- Identification of any significant runs of material that may require priority preservation reformatting (microfilming or digitization).
- Outline of significant special storage needs (e.g., framed art work, films, Art Storage/Object Storage).
- Description of printed material (e.g. books, serials, newspapers, pamphlets, and ephemeral imprints) that, if retained, will require separate cataloging.
- Periodically review the processing checklist (Download below, or find in theX:drive>RMC>Archival Processing folder.)
Processing plan template
Processing checklist template
