Transcript MPLP and the Audiovisual Archive: An Exploratory Study of

MPLP and the Audiovisual Archive:
An Exploratory Study of Minimal Processing Practices for
Sound Recordings
Sofía Becerra-Licha | Berklee College of Music
SAA Research Forum | August 13, 2013
[email protected]
MPLP: More Product, Less Process
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Greene & Meissner (2005): “Golden Minimum” (pp.
212-213)
“expedites getting collection
materials into the hands of users;
assures arrangement of materials
adequate to user needs;
takes the minimal steps necessary to
physically preserve collection
materials;
describes materials sufficient to
promote use”
MPLP & Audiovisual Archiving
MPLP: Critiques
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Diversity of archives
Technical support
Non-manuscript
collections
A/V archiving: Challenges
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Specialized training
Media considerations
Many localized
practices
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• What
has been the impact and/or application of
the MPLP model on the processes used by
audiovisual archivists?
What does minimal processing look like for sound
recordings versus paper-based archives?
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What disciplines, theories, or other influences
have informed audiovisual archivists’ current
practices?
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Methodology
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Snowball sample of U.S.-based audiovisual
repositories
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12 contacted
11 participated (13 individual respondents)
Semi-structured interviews (30 minutes)
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Phone (9)
In-person (1)
Email (2)
Selected Demographics
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Repository locations:
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Northeast: 3
Southeast: 2
Midwest: 3
West Coast: 3
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Average staff: 2-4
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Holdings: 11,000 – 2,000,000 items
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Average: 385,800
Results: applicability of MPLP
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3/13 considered MPLP to be central to their current
approach
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11/13 indicated basic familiarity with MPLP
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11/13 believed (some) aspects of MPLP were
applicable to audiovisual materials
Results:
minimal processing for A/V materials
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5/13 considered minimal processing to include itemlevel description
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Most described their institution’s approach as more
maximalist than minimalist
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Many factors & considerations
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Commercial vs. non-commercial
Analog vs. digital
Research value
Preservation and/or storage requirements
Final Thoughts: MPLP & A/V Archives
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Challenges:
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MPLP vs findability
Limited resources
Lack of applicable literature/case studies
Applications:
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Holistic framework (mindset/planning)
Some short-cuts are possible: concert series, recurring
radio programs, etc.
Refocusing descriptive efforts
Selected References
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American Folklife Center (2011). Archives, museums and libraries. http://www.loc.gov/folklife/source/list_archives.php
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Bradley, C. J. (2003). Classifying and cataloging music in American libraries: A historical overview. Cataloging & Classification
Quarterly, 35:3-4, 467-481.
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Casey, M., Gordon, B. (2007). Sound Directions: Best Practices for Audio Preservation.
http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/sounddirections/papersPresent/sd_bp_07.pdf
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Fells, N., Donachy, P. Owen, C. (2002). Creating digital audio resources: A guide to good practice. Oxford: Oxbow.
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Greene, Mark A. , Meissner, D. (2005). More Product, Less Process: Revamping Traditional Archival Processing. American
Archivist, 68:2, 208-263.
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Hoffman, G. L. (2009). Meeting users’ needs in cataloging: What is the right thing to do? Cataloging & Classification Quarterly,
47:7, 631-641.
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Jaszi, P., Lewis, N., eds. (2006). Capturing Analog Sound for Digital Preservation: Report of a Roundtable Discussion of Best
Practices for Transferring Analog Discs and Tapes. Washington, D.C.: Council on Library and Information Resources and Library of
Congress. http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub137/pub137.pdf
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MacLeod, J., Lloyd, K. (1994). A study of music cataloging backlogs. Library resources & technical services, 38:1, 7-15.
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Mudge, S., Hoek, D. J. (2000). Describing jazz, blues, and popular 78 RPM sound recordings: Suggestions and guidelines.
Cataloging & Classification Quarterly, 29:3, 21-48.
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Paton, C. A. (1990). Whispers in the stacks: The problem of sound recordings in archives. American Archivist, 53:2, 274-280.
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Prom, C. J. (2010). Optimum Access? Processing in College and University Archives. American Archivist, 73:1, 146-174.
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Prom, C.J. (2010). Forum (Letters to the Editor). American Archivist, 73:2, 411-420.
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Smith, A. Allen, D. R., Allen, K. (2004.) Survey of the state of audio collections in academic libraries. Washington, D.C.: Council on
Library and Information Resources.
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Society for Ethnomusicology (2012). Archives, libraries, and museums.
http://webdb.iu.edu/sem/scripts/links/linkentries.cfm?lcID=22
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Van Ness, C. (2010). Much Ado about Paper Clips: 'More Product, Less Process' and the Modern Manuscript Repository.
American Archivist, 73:1, 129-145.
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Van Ness, C. (2010). Forum (Letters to the Editor). American Archivist, 73:2, 411-420.