We have a holistic perspective on archival functions as they operate in a broader collections management framework. The documentation on this page therefore touches on accessioning, arrangement and description, digital preservation, acquisitions, collection management, and conservation and preventive conservation practices, and is referenced when working in multiple programmatic areas of the department.
The following provide guidance for accessioning, arrangement, and description activities across formats:
These guides provide policies on our use of ArchivesSpace and producing descriptive metadata records (primarily MARC) for use in other systems.
The following policies document local collection management practices:
The term "deaccessioning" is used to describe the official transfer of special collections materials out of the custody of NYU Libraries. Reappraisal and deaccessioning of collection materials are necessary components of collection management, and allow for the identification of materials that would not be accepted today, cannot be responsibly retained, or are no longer within the collecting scope of NYU Special Collections. Our deaccessioning policy and support documentation includes: