Definitions: Processing

Processing is the act of arranging, describing, and housing of special collections materials.

Unprocessed may mean that the materials have not been added to an online catalog; or re-housed into acid-free folders, divided into series, and described to the folder level. This does not mean that a researcher may not consult an unprocessed collection. Usually there is what is known as a preliminary inventory, which provides some description of the materials. It may, however, be more difficult to quickly access materials in an unprocessed collection, especially if an archivist or curator needs to screen the material for potential privacy violations prior to use.

Processed collections have been cataloged and/or arranged, described, and properly stored. A complete finding aid is the result of processing and will provide detailed access to the collection, as well as a short biography or administrative history and other relevant information.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum offers an example of the work involved in processing a collection.