I.A. Purpose

The Manuscript Unit's Processing Manual is a training guide for new processing staff, as well as a general reference manual for all staff in matters pertaining to manuscript processing at Beinecke Library. It details the library's current practices and standards for arranging and describing large archival collections in accordance with generally accepted archival principles and specific local practice. Although small collections usually do not require extensive physical preparation or finding aids, to the extent that physical preparation is required, guidance for their treatment will be found here as well.

Detailed specifications for formatting Beinecke collection registers using a standard template and set of register processing macros can be found in the Microcomputer Manual for Registers; some of this information has been incorporated here for clarity only.

For specific information and guidance on creating collection-level MARC Mixed Material or Visual Material (VIM) catalog records in Orbis, consult the Manuscript Unit's Orbis Cataloging Manual: Mixed Materials Format and Visual Materials Format .

This Processing Manual also provides general information about the library's accessioning, shelving, classification, and other record keeping practices, past and present, to the extent that such information may be useful in processing or in preparing archives for processing. Further information on these topics can be found in the manuals and databases listed below.

I.B. Other Technical Services Documentation and Online Tools

I.B.1. Manuals (* indicates only printed copy available)

• Accession Manual (reference copy in Manuscript Unit Head's office) *
• Conservation Studio Procedure (reference copy in the Manuscript Unit's manual of General Beinecke Library Technical Services Policies and Procedures in the Manuscript Unit reference collection) *
• Guidelines for Preparation of Finding Aids for EAD
• Instructions for Processing Acknowledgments [for gifts] (reference copy in the Accession Manual ) *
• Macros, Programs, and Batch Files for Manuscript Processing
• Microcomputer Manual for Registers
• Microfilming Procedures at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library(reference copy on local website)

I.B.2. In-House Databases

• acq.tba - DB/TextWorks (TS)
• artstore.tba - DB/TextWorks (PS)
• CONSTU - Inmagic TS
• deposit.tba - DB/TextWorks (TS)
• labels.tba - DB/TextWorks (TS)
• microflm.tba - DB/TextWorks (PS)
• msbklog.tba - DB/TextWorks (TS)
• msconsp.tba - DB/TextWorks (TS)
• nos.tba - DB/TextWorks (PS)
• oldmsacq.tba - DB/TextWorks (TS)
• photoneg.tba - DB/TextWorks (PS)
• ycalbibl.tba - DB/TextWorks (PS)
• Yale Library Gazette index on j:\brblinfo\allgaz.ind

Maintenance of the Processing Manual is ongoing; the date of issue of printed copies appears in the lower left corner of each page. Out-of-date versions should be discarded.