Processing and Digitizing Records of the New York City Commission on Human Rights — NYC Department of Records & Information Services


Step 1. Surveying

Before the collection can be processed it will be surveyed. Surveying involves looking through a sampling of the boxes to determine a general timeline and content themes. The archivists aim to create a potential organization scheme for the collection during the survey. In the initial survey of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Collection, the archivists determined that the collection would be broken down into three main series that represented the three different entities and eras highlighted above.

Step 2. Processing and Re-Housing

Once surveyed, project staff will process and rehousing the collection. Rehousing involves placing materials into stable, preservation-quality containers—specifically, acid-free folders and boxes—to protect them from damage and ensure long-term storage. This work is time-intensive, as it requires archivists to review and handle every item within the collection’s 268 cubic feet of records.

During processing, archivists evaluate the materials according to several criteria:

-Descriptive Information

Archivists identify and record key details about each folder’s contents, including topics and date ranges. This information is written on the physical folders and entered into a spreadsheet that  forms the basis of the online finding aid’s inventory.

-Historical Information

In addition to folder-level descriptions, archivists gather contextual details for the finding aid’s narrative section. This includes identifying significant individuals involved with the Commission, major projects, the Commission’s evolving role in the city, and recurring themes. This content will help researchers better understand the collection’s significance and structure.

-Personal and Privacy Information

Archivists must flag any personal information found in the records, such as addresses, salaries, social security numbers, or other sensitive data. These materials are reviewed to ensure appropriate privacy protections, including redactions if necessary.

=Outdated Terminology

Given the collection’s focus on civil rights and marginalized communities, attention to language is critical. Archivists identify outdated or offensive terms and apply reparative description practices. This involves referencing current guidelines to ensure respectful and accurate folder titles that reflect both historical usage and contemporary understanding.

-Conservation Issues

Archivists also monitor the physical condition of materials. They watch for issues such as mold, deteriorating newsprint, bug damage, or degrading materials such as dried out rubber bands, rusty paper clips, or old tape. Items needing repair are set aside for conservation treatment before rehousing.

Step 3. Digitization

As noted above, only the first series of the collection—totaling 53 cubic feet—will be digitized during this project. The digitization specialist will scan, review, and edit the digital files for quality, then name and upload them to the online repository. The materials will be accessible to the public, after the full collection has been processed and open for research.

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