1. A Concept Map Approach to Organizing Archive Collections
Shimberg Health Sciences Library, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC31, Tampa, FL 33612
Ashley C. Ashabranner, MA Graduate Student; Allison M. Howard, MLIS, AHIP
Methods
A concept map, a graphical tool used to represent knowledge and elucidate relationships between things, was
utilized. This approach clarified the description and organization process of materials, and allowed for the
construction of categories that mirrored the organizational structure of the College of Medicine. This same
organizational structure will be applied to collections from other colleges within USF Health, given their shared
institutional hierarchy. It is recognized that each collection has unique aspects that may require adaptations along
the way.
Outcomes
The concept map approach helped to identify connections between items that may have remained unseen by way
of traditional approaches and is recommended as an archival development tool. The Series Titles produced for
the College of Medicine have been applied to the organization of the College of Nursing collection successfully.
The original finding aid’s vague organizational structure included categories like Miscellaneous and USF Libraries
within the small USF Health Archives. Using the hierarchy of USF Health, Collection Titles were established:
College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, and College of Public Health. Within the College of
Medicine collection, Series Titles were synthesized from the many unique titles outlined in the original finding aid.
These Series Titles served as a starting point for identifying a simple structure by which to organize the remainder
of the USF Health archives.
Brief Description
Introduction
The Shimberg Health Sciences Library at the University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, is organizing the archives
of the four colleges and two schools that constitute USF Health. The College of Medicine’s (COM) upcoming
50th anniversary is driving the need for better organization. Goals include (1) the creation of an organizational
structure that preserves the unique characteristics and needs of the collection; (2) the creation of an arrangement
that encourages quick and easy discovery by users.