Overview
Creating descriptive resources helps the Bentley Historical Library achieve intellectual control over its materials and facilitates the use of materials by all researchers. Information in this section reflects current standards and professional best practices as well as the Bentley's local conventions. The Lead Archivist for Collections Management is responsible for ensuring that all finding aids, catalog records, and other kinds of description adhere to local conventions and professional standards.
The Archival Arrangement and Description Select Bibliography (public link) provides helpful and useful resources about descriptive practices and standards. The materials listed in it are available online or at the Bentley Historical Library.
Other Note(s)
The portion of these guidelines that focus on analog audiovisual material were developed largely using the Guidelines for Processing Collections with Audiovisual Material at the Archives of American Art (public link), which was produced by the Smithsonian in 2015.