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Society of Georgia Archivists Preserving the past and the present for the future...


Volume 42, Issue 2, Summer 2010
SGA’s SPRING WORKSHOP FOR “IMPLEMENTING MORE PRODUCT, LESS PROCESS’, DECATUR, GA

Mark A. Greene and Dennis Meissner addressed a continuing problem for archivists struggling with processing backlogs in their article, More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival Processing. On April 28, 2010 instructor Jennifer Meehan, Head of Processing in the Manuscript Unit of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University, led the workshop that explored topics including appraisal, arrangement, description, digitization, and preservation, as well as development of processing plans, policies, and benchmarks.  Designed for the Society of American Archivists, the workshop was co-sponsored by SAA and SGA’s Education Committee.  Hosted by the Columbia Theological Seminary, the workshop was well attended by participants nation wide who discussed the concepts and arguments outlined in “More Product, Less Process” from a variety of perspectives and shared techniques for managing efficient processing programs.


Kassandra Ware, recipient of SGA’s Brenda S. Banks Scholarship for the SGA/SAA Spring Workshop, writes about her experience of the workshop.

When notified that I had won the Brenda S. Banks Educational Workshop scholarship for the Implementing “More Product, Less Process” workshop, I was thrilled. My supervisor, Taronda Spencer, was pleased as well.  It meant a great deal to me because I believed I could utilize this training and knowledge immediately on some of our backlogged collections. I always find it rewarding to learn a skill and then use it right away, so I was pretty content and ready for the workshop on May 17, 2010.

Upon my arrival to the lovely campus at Columbia Theological Seminary with its comfortable classroom setting, were participants ‘raring to go’ and delicious snacks awaiting us. From our instructor, Jennifer Meehan, I learned about the Implementing “More Product, Less Process” (MPLP) method in more detail and the importance of access. I especially found useful the explication of different processing levels and establishing achievable deadlines for collections. In addition, I was enlightened by our class participation and group discussions.

After returning to my office the next day, I shared what I learned with my supervisor, reviewed the source materials our class received, and began processing a large collection using the MPLP method. To date, as I continue processing this collection, the MPLP method is enabling me to finalize this collection a bit faster, which is fulfilling to me and helps researchers. In addition, the MPLP method allows me to still enjoy learning about and connecting with this individual collection. I plan to use this method on most of our backlogged collections, and expect the same benefits.

This really has been one of the best archival workshops I have attended thus far. I enjoyed meeting and building relationships with participants, and I appreciate the nice people who prepared this MPLP workshop for us.  It was refreshing to spend the day with all of you, and to experience your friendliness, helpfulness, and passion about archival practices and procedures. Hopefully, we will bump into each other at the SGA meeting in October, 2010 or elsewhere. Until then, enjoy the MPLP processing journey (smile).

Kassandra Ware, Archives Assistant
Spelman College


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