Articles

Minimum Standards Processing and Photograph Collections

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Abstract

Photograph collections and photos in collections have long posed particular challenges for archivists. Archival institutions have employed a variety of arrangement and description techniques to ensure the preservation and access of photographic images. Many of these solutions, however, require item-level attention. With the advent of minimum standards, or "MPLP" (More Product, Less Process), processing, archivists are beginning to question such practices. This paper offers a case study of implementing MPLP for collections that comprise or include photographs. A variety of photographic collections are examined and different levels of minimum standards discussed. Also examined is the potential conflict between MPLP and another recent trend in archives-digitization of photographs.

How to Cite:

Foster, A. L., (2006) “Minimum Standards Processing and Photograph Collections”, Archival Issues 30(2), 107–118. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/archivalissues.10953