As part of our data cleansing following the move to our new Collection Management System, we are checking collections data to ensure it meets modern archival standards and does not need to be #EYAErased. One collection that has been identified as needing work is the personal papers of Alan Frank, head of OUP’s Music Department between 1954-1975.
Frank’s papers consist of two boxes which were originally catalogued in the 1990s. The catalogue content is fairly detailed, but no attempt was made to bring the collection into order and no context was provided, rendering it challenging to use. Modern standards require collections to be catalogued hierarchically, with the collection at the top and levels of description underneath – given the age of the catalogue description, it is not surprising that this was also not done.
An archive volunteer has been given the task of re-cataloguing the collection, inputting the data onto our new system. Once this has been achieved, the original catalogue records will be erased. The new finding aid will enable better access and retrieval of the papers in the future as well as a greater understanding of the complexion of the material.
Watch this space to see how the project gets on!
