Batching is part of Preservation Planning and groups the preservation workflow into sets of similar preservation work for example, a particular collection or record label, enables efficiency in processing, gives a sense of completion and enables a variety of subject matter to be chosen by curatorial staff, this also aids job satisfaction. It means that there is always preservation work on hand, to balance with Collection Access work and approved more complex projects; a variety of fragile and less fragile material means that the less problematic material can be worked on while the other is in for treatment.
Batching sets of similar preservation work enables efficiencies in processing:
- There is always preservation work ordered.
- Preservation work can fill in the gaps between other requests.
- Batches can be tailored to the requirements of the operator / studio / laboratory.
- Batches can be tailored to the requirements of the material for example – special collections retrievals for fragile material.
- Batches can be tailored to balance, for example, reel to reel tapes on more stable stocks with those requiring more care and treatment such as low temperature rejuvenation.