Archivists are gathering more data than ever, whether that be metadata, processing metrics, or collection use data. However, it takes time and effort to use this data to assess and inform our current work. This session aims to present three case studies that examine data-driven approaches to archival functions. Megan Mummey will discuss using collection use data to analyze research trends, set processing priorities, and determine collections in need of reprocessing or redescription. Hannah Pryor will present on using data on past record transfers to identify collection gaps and plan outreach strategies to build the University Archives. Morgen MacIntosh Hodgetts will report on her collection-wide survey using the assessment module in ArchivesSpace, which she plans to use to inform future collection management projects, the prioritization of reprocessing and redescription, and the revision of the collection development policy. To build off the saying “One must cultivate one’s own garden”, this proposal posits that to cultivate our “archival gardens,'' we must use data to improve and inform our work, whether that be in assessing description, prioritizing collections for processing, or identifying collection gaps.
