Preservation and MPLP:To protect, preserve, and provide access

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What is MPLP?

An article written by Greene and Meissner in 2005, published in the American Archivist, titled “More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival Processing”

A methodology for processing archival collections that aims to reduce time spent on processing in order to maximize the repository’s holdings available for use; addresses our approach to resource management by reframing discussion about how we process collections

What is MPLP?

Objectives of methodology are: to expedite access to assure adequate arrangement to perform minimal steps to physically preserve

collections to provide sufficient description

Goals of methodology are: More efficient processing standards Better resource management; reallocating staff and

funding for other priorities, such as online access

What is MPLP?

Assumptions made by authors of MPLP Most repositories have a large backlog of large, 20th

century manuscript or records collections (meaning, paper-based records)

Most repositories resemble government, academic or university archives

Access resembles researchers in a reading room receiving one box at a time, such as in an academic research library or government records office

What is MPLP?

Does this describe your collections?

Does this describe the problems you face as collection managers?

(Please raise your hand if this is where you find yourself.)

What is MPLP?

Assumptions (con’t)

Preservation activity includes only removing rusty fasteners, refoldering, reboxing and environmental monitoring and control

What is preservation and preventive care?

SAA Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology: preservation: n. ~ the professional discipline of protecting

materials by minimizing chemical and physical deterioration and damage to minimize the loss of information and to extend the life of cultural property.

preventive care: n. ~ The mitigation of deterioration and damage through the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures for appropriate environmental conditions; handling and maintenance during storage, exhibition, packing, transport, and use; integrated pest management; emergency preparedness and response; and reformatting and duplication.

What is preservation and preventive care?

Implementation of a preventive care program includes 5 key components: Environmental control Policies and procedures for handling, use and for

maintenance for storage, exhibition, packing and transport

Emergency preparedness and response Integrated pest management Reformatting and duplication

Laura McCann, “Preservation as Obstacle or Opportunity? Rethinking the Preservation-Access Model in the Age of MPLP.” Journal of Archival Organization, 11:23-48, 2013.

Reconciling Tension of Preservation and Access

McCann, “Preservation as Obstacle or Opportunity?”

“Application of risk management is crucial to ensure that collections that are minimally processed are accessible for future users.”

Reconciling Tension of Preservation and Access

Good appraisal and acquisition procedures

Survey collections to collect format and condition information and other risk factors

Set preservation baseline for processing and document in guidelines for staff/volunteers/interns

Review actions and policies (every 3-5 years)

What is preservation and preventive care?

Should we disregard MPLP in the name of preservation?

Should we disregard preservation in the name of MPLP?

Do we throw our hands in the air?

Preservation and preventive care can and should exist in harmony with access.

Reconciling Tension of Preservation and Access

PolicyAssessmentDecisionActionReview

The continuum

Thank you

Jennifer Waxman

[Archives] Consultant

j.r.waxman@gmail.com