Overview
Clear and open communication about accessioning and processing practices fosters informed decision-making and leads to a shared understanding about what we do and the impact of our work on the mission of the repository.
The aim to responsibly acquire, steward, and make accessible the special collections and archives materials held by the various Harvard University libraries hinges on our ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders. According to the Cost of Total Stewardship: Communication Tools (OCLC, 2021), transparent and continuous communication between colleagues in collections/curatorial, research and public services, and technical services roles “supports efforts to gather and share information about potential acquisitions, to assess the impact an acquisition will have on repository staff, to communicate about the resources required to steward a collection effectively, and to articulate and promote the value of the repository’s labor and expertise bring to bear on collections and collecting decisions.” Open communication with library leadership and donors allows us to advocate for continued support for accessioning and processing collections, including creating and sustaining permanent positions. And finally, striving to improve collection discovery and use for all users demonstrates a proactive commitment to broad, equitable access to all materials.