University Library

A report of findings from a research project on backlogs and processing practices in UC Libraries, presented at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Society of California Archivists. The Guidelines for Efficient Archival Processing in the University of California Libraries has been an influential resource for archivists nationwide since its publication in 2012. This research project seeks to understand the Guidelines' impact on backlogs, collection management policies, and day-to-day archival practices over the last dozen years across the UC Libraries, by taking a fresh look at current practices, collections, and perspectives. Our research will assess how the Guidelines' strategies for managing materials, accessioning, and processing have or have not been effective. A forthcoming article in the Journal of Western Archives summarizes our findings.