Descriptive Aggreate Profile

Descriptive Aggreate Profile

Identity elements

Element NamePurpose and ScopeValueSource/AuthorityRulesExampleObligation
Reference Code

This element provides a unique identifier for the unit being described. The identifier may consist of three sub-elements: a local identifier, a code for the repository, and a code for the country.

This typically alphanumeric identifier frequently serves as a succinct local means of referring to the materials. When delivering a descriptive record outside of the repository holding the materials, this element should also contain a nationally sanctioned code for the repository and an internationally standardized code for the country in which the repository is located. Taken together, these three sub-elements form a unique machine-readable identifier for the materials being described

Alphanumeric

DACS: The codes for country and repository are taken from national and international code lists. Repositories should develop a local system that uniquely identifies discrete materials.

 

   
Title

This element provides a word or phrase by which the material being described is known or can be identified. A title may be devised or formal.

 

Literal    
Date

"This element identifies and records the date(s) that pertain to the creation, assembly, accumulation, and/or maintenance and use of the materials being described. This element  describes types of dates and forms of dates."

Can include dates of creation (original), publication, record keeping activity. For our purposes, in this descriptive block, the date/range of the original document creation, if known, should be used.

Record years in 4-digit Western/Arabic numerals, using AD/CE notation, as either a range, series, or single date."Take the information from any reliable source, including the internal evidence of the materials being described."

1895.

1890-1915.

1801, 1920.

  
Extent

This element indicates the extent and the physical nature of the materials being described. This is handled in two parts, a number (quantity) and an expression of the extent or material type. The second part of the Extent Element may be either:

  • the physical extent of the materials expressed either as the items, containers or carriers, or storage space occupied; or
  • an enumeration of the material type(s), usually physical material type(s), to which the unit being described belongs. Material types may be general or specific.

 "Repositories should establish a consistent method of articulating statements of extent... Derive the information from the materials themselves or take it from transfer documents, published descriptions, or other reliable sources."   
Name of Creators  DACS: Library of Congress Name Authority if available; local   
Administrative/Biographical History      
Scope and Content Free text    
System of Arrangement      
Conditions Governing Access      
Languages      
Related Archival Materials      
Has Part      
Is Part Of      

Largely lifted from DACS

Obligation operates at several levels: fonds (in this case, the whole collection); series; sub series; item group(s). Some things may be required at one level but not another. This is intended to be as thorough as possible, so as to accommodate as many levels of description as we want to include. At the collection level, this is information which should end up on the enhanced finding aid (which is currently a box list).