A Gentle Approach To “Gentle Ren”: Processing The Papers Of Former College President Renwick Jackson
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
First discussed almost ten years ago, the processing philosophy known as “more product, less process” (MPLP) remains hotly contested among members of the archival community. Using the collection of Dr. J. Renwick Jackson as a case study, I highlight the importance of a theme heavily emphasized in Mark Greene’s and Dennis Meissner’s landmark article: flexibility. Selectively utilizing MPLP would prove useful when dealing with large quantities of semi-valuable material and metal fasteners—thereby allowing the project to be completed within 160 work hours. Simultaneously, item level processing resulted in the discovery of both significant and sensitive records, along with the elimination of large amounts of duplicated materials. I conclude the article with a discussion of two major issues in the minimal processing debate—security/privacy concerns, and the short and long term use of MPLP—providing a personal reflection on those subjects and noting how discussions of either have ignored conversations of flexibility and adaptability.