A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology

RICHARD PEARCE-MOSES


 
   
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© 2005, Society of American Archivists
 

finding aid

NT:calendar; guide; inventory; register; scope and contents note; special list
RT:catalog; Encoded Archival Description; intellectual control

Definition   

n. ~ 1. A tool that facilitates discovery of information within a collection of records. – 2. A description of records that gives the repository physical and intellectual control over the materials and that assists users to gain access to and understand the materials.

Notes

Finding aid1 includes a wide range of formats, including card indexes, calendars, guides, inventories, shelf and container lists, and registers. – Finding aid2 is a single document that places the materials in context by consolidating information about the collection, such as acquisition and processing; provenance, including administrative history or biographical note; scope of the collection, including size, subjects, media; organization and arrangement; and an inventory of the series and the folders.
 

 

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