As for the system being archaic, at Woodholme House we welcome un-agented material. I, along with the two co-publishers, determine which projects fit our program and are financially viable. A small team with people wearing many hats makes the discernment process no less rigorous than at larger publishers with actual editorial, production, and marketing departments. I also contend that the quality-control function of this professional system no longer exists to the degree it once did. The responsibility of developing and polishing manuscripts has fallen from house editor to literary to freelance manuscript doctors whom some authors need to hire.
Literary agents are generally reluctant to take on authors who lack a certain cachet.
But when we do send a book, I expect it to receive the same treatment as a book from a mainstream publisher. I would hope that other books are not discarded because the name of the publisher is unfamiliar. Amazing growth within the publishing industry warrants change in reviewers' policies now. To dismiss books from independent or self-publishers seems to me to be grossly cavalier and ultimately a disservice to your readers. The gap that once divided books from small presses and books from mainstream publishers simply no longer exists across the board.