Questions for the LDS Church Archives and Salt Lake County Archives

10/09/08'

Compare and contrast the the two archives that we visited. You can also add observations of USU Special Collections where you feel this is relevant. Feel free to offer constructive criticism or praise based on our class discussions, class readings, and your personal opinions. If you, for instance, feel that the archive should offer more web-based resources then point that out. These questions are meant to be the basis for your evaluation, but your paper needs to be in narrative form.

1. What are the staffing levels and how is the institution organized?

- Does this seem adequate?
- Where are the most pressing needs?
- What are the different departments?
- How does the archive function within the larger organization?

2. What kinds of finding aids are available?

- How much of a backlog does the institution have?
- Are these in paper or online form?

3. What are the collecting areas of the institution?

- In what formats?
- Is there a collecting policy?
- Who are the donors?
- Does the institution have a records management program?

4. What are the reading room policies?

- What kinds of patrons?
- Are there restricted collections?
- Security?
- How are reproductions handled?
- Do they handle long distance requests?
- Is the archive open to the public?

5. What is being done to preserve the collections?

- Is there a conservation lab?
- Policies?

(You can do this on your own)

6. What is the web presence of the institution?

- How do you feel about the overall look and feel of the site?
- Is the site easy to navigate?
- Is there information about the mission statement or purpose of the archives?
- Is it confusing to find information about: a. ordering reproductions b. contacting someone to ask a question?
- How do you search the collections at the archives? Is this confusing? How much digital content is available?