Acetate film testing

Purpose

Recording results of testing acetate film using A-D strips to determine level of deterioration and help with digitization prioritization.

Manual workflow

1. From the archival object in ArchivesSpace, click on "More" and then "Create Assessment."
2. Enter your name in Surveyed by
3. Put the date the A-D strip was placed in Survey Begin Date
4. Put the date the A-D strip was read in Survey Completed Date
5. In the Conservation Note record the A-D strip value as “A-D strip rating: [#].” If there are multiple items with different results represented by the same archival object, distinguish them in this note.
6. If the A-D strip result is not 0, check the Deteriorating Film Base box

Legacy instructions, never implemented

Assessment records, in combination with either a Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note if the material is open or a Conditions Governing Access note if the material is closed, should be used to record the state of materials needing potential conservation attention. The assessment record is a reportable way to note issues for staff follow-up; the phystech note provides needed information to researchers and reading room staff about the fragility of the item and any requirements for its use.

Assessment records should not be used for any other purpose at this time.

An assessment record may be attached to a resource record or a component record. If the preservation issue is related to a particular component (for example, a file that has thermofax), it should be attached to that component; if it related to an entire collection or large portions of the collection, it should be attached to the resource record.

The following fields should be added to an assessment record:

• Records (automatically completes with the accession, resource record, or component record that was open when the assessment was created; is repeatable, so can be added to multiple components at a time)
• Surveyed By (should be the name of the person creating the assessment record)
• Survey Begin Date (the date you are creating the assessment record)
• Conservation issues (select any appropriate, especially "Heat-Sensitive Paper," "Potential Mold or Mold Damage," "Recent Pest Damage," or "Water Damage")
• Conservation Note (write note explaining extent and nature of issue identified above, as needed. Also include barcodes for containers affected if the assessment record is attached to an archival object or accession record representing more than one container)