Abstract
Our process of repairing damaged items had no clear ownership and an ever growing amorphous backlog consisting of approximately 2,800 items at the start of the process review. This backlog continues to hinder access to materials in the collection. We are currently in multistage process review which incorporates Lean methodologies to improve workflow across a number of departments. At the core of these improvements is gathering data to measure current levels of work. From that perspective, we can see where value is needed in the workflows, including areas of collection access, level of repair needed, item replacement/weeding, and meeting user/stakeholder needs.
Navigating the Flow of Value Streams to the Seas of Collection Management, Acquisitions, and Preservation
Our process of repairing damaged items had no clear ownership and an ever growing amorphous backlog consisting of approximately 2,800 items at the start of the process review. This backlog continues to hinder access to materials in the collection. We are currently in multistage process review which incorporates Lean methodologies to improve workflow across a number of departments. At the core of these improvements is gathering data to measure current levels of work. From that perspective, we can see where value is needed in the workflows, including areas of collection access, level of repair needed, item replacement/weeding, and meeting user/stakeholder needs.