Like a traditional library catalog, this will help you find published materials such as books or maps. Learn More.
Finding Aids are like a table of contents for collections to help you find specific boxes and folders. Learn More
The website search allows you to search and find content on the website.
Records can be found in either tangible or digital formats.
Examples of tangible formats include, but are not limited to, paper-based documents and photographs, and removable media such as thumb drives, floppy disks, and CDs. Digital records most often refer to records that can be viewed on a screen.
These exist either because a digital version has been made from paper (“digitized”) or because they were originally created in a digital form (“born-digital”).
Paper-based records and removable media should be packed carefully in archival-quality boxes with lids. Paige boxes measure 10 x 12 x 15 inches and are provided upon request at no cost. In order to keep the weight of the boxes manageable:
To order archival-quality Paige boxes, contact [email protected].
Persons, places, dates, or circumstances that seem familiar today easily fade into obscurity tomorrow. Descriptive metadata does not have to be affixed to the materials themselves but may be maintained in an appendix document. To assist in this process, units are asked to complete a box list prior to transfer.
Although not required, it is strongly recommended that units take a moment to complete a folder-level inventory. This will not only assist archivists in the eventual description of the materials when they undergo processing, but it will provide units with a stronger level of access and accountability.
A box list template for excel can be downloaded by clicking the following link: Excel Box/Folder List Template
U-M Dropbox is a preferred service when transferring digital files due to its ability to handle large files and media-rich content. Importantly, U-M Dropbox is an authorized University service for records and information containing sensitive data. In some cases, it may be necessary to make a transfer of digital records via storage device delivery (e.g., hard drive).
When preparing digital records for transfer, contact the Bentley at [email protected] to request that a dropbox be set up for you.
Members of the university community create many kinds of information beyond textual documents. Photographs, moving images, and sound recordings all serve as direct and powerful communications tools that can reach and inform many people. In general, the Bentley uses the term audiovisual (AV) to refer to materials that are non-textual and that contain sound and pictorial attributes. AV is also used to describe the processes used to capture, record, transmit, or reproduce sound or images.
It is critical that AV materials are identified with captions or other notes. Persons, places, dates, or circumstances that seem familiar today easily fade into obscurity tomorrow. Providing captions or descriptive metadata does not have to be affixed to the materials themselves but may be maintained in an appendix document. To assist in this process, units are encouraged to use the AV Metadata Requirements Template.