Accessioning
Authority work
Authority work is about choosing a consistent way of referring to an entity that uniquely distinguishes it from other entities. Consistent use of name authorities is vital to access. To perform authority work for your collection/series creator, you must have already determined who you creator is; for guidelines on identifying collection creators, see DACS Section 2.6.
MainEntryAuthorityWorkForm.pdf
Location: N:\Administration_CHoM\Policies_and_Policy_Development\Cataloging and Description\Name Authorities_Current
To establish a name authority, follow the steps outlined in the form above. Name authority research and paperwork must be completed for every new creator introduced to ArchivesSpace as an agent and before stub MARC records are created. This form should be printed, completed, and filed in the appropriate Accessioning and Processing control file. Name authorities for OFFICES OF ORIGIN are established by the records management staff and official name numbers are assigned as part of this process.
Formulating titles
Accession Records
Accession records are created and maintained in ArchivesSpace as of FY16 (prior accession records can be found in the HMSdb4 database). An Accession Form (fillable PDF or a paper accession record) should also be completed for each accession and filed in the "Accessioning and Processing" control file folder for the corresponding collection.
Form Location: N:\Administration_CHoM\Policies_and_Policy_Development\Accessioning\Accessions_Current
Accession Number: Enter the accession number for the group of records that you are accessioning. [See section on "Assigning Accession/Collection numbers" to be created]
Creator/User: Enter the authorized form of name.
Legacy collections: when "dealing with" (cataloging, processing, etc) collections that were previously accessioned and already have an accession number, do not create an accession record in Aspace. When dealing with collections for which no accession number or accession documentation can be identified, do create an accession record for this fiscal year, list the source as unknown, and indicate that the material was "found in collection" along with any other helpful information.
Accessioning in ArchivesSpace
Agent Records
If no record exists, create a record for either a Person, Corporate Entity, or Family as appropriate.
- Library of Congress Name Authority File
- Local Sources (Use if form of name is based on pre-existing entry in HOLLIS or if name is formed locally. If name is formed locally, you must also complete the next field "Rules.")
For persons:
Use the following fields to enter the name as it appears on the Name Authority worksheet. NO PUNCTUATION AT END OF NAME (unless the "rest of name" ends in a middle initial). Name Order: Use “Indirect”, unless otherwise specified by name authority (in which case use “Direct”) such as in the case of royalty, etc.
Prefix: Skip
Title: [if appropriate]
Primary Part of Name: [Last name or surname]
Rest of Name: [First name, middle name, middle initial as appropriate]
Suffix: [if appropriate]
Fuller Form: [Use for the part of authorized name in parentheses, such as spelling out of initials. Do not actually enter parentheses here; ArchivesSpace will supply]
Number: [if appropriate]
Dates: Skip
Qualifier: [if appropriate]
Sort Name: Skip
Dates of Name Use: Skip
Related Agent: [Search for name of related Agent. Will need to create if one does not exist.]
Description: [Optional: use as needed to explain the relationship.]
Accession Records
Mss: Collection title, date span [if applicable: OBJECT title and date or # volumes], accession number in square brackets
- Marie McCormick papers, 1960-2015 (inclusive) [2016-142]
- Samuel A. Levine papers, 1914-1966 (bulk) and ECG string control, 1976 [2016-125]
- Harvard School of Public Health. Harvard Prevention Research Center. Planet Health records, 1992-1997 (inclusive) [2017-152]
- Harvard Medical School. Office of Resource Development. University publications, 2006- (inclusive) [2017-081]
- ECG string control owned and used by Samuel A. Levine, 1976
- William A. Burgess collection, 1976-1980 (inclusive)
Books: Enter formal or devised title, same as MARC 245.
Enter accession number, utilizing different fields/boxes for different identifier segments [YYYY - ### - x]:
Field 1: 20XX Field 2: XXX Field 3: A, B, M, W and/or Ar [Optional field 4: BWH or other future stewardship]
Condition description: The “red flag” field: if there is mold, if something has been isolated, glass present, if things are in frames, & etc.
Arch: Records establish Series #####
Records constitute an accrual to Series ####
WAM: ECG String Control to WAM 21588 (when applicable). Source title from WAM Object / Accession Log.
Inventory: (Books) Skip
- boxlisted/12
- boxlisted/1.5
- folderlisted/48
- folderlisted/1.2
For materials inventoried this year that were acquired in previous fiscal years, follow the same instructions above, but add a prefix indicating the current fiscal year (to show they were listed in this year). Examples:
- FY19/folderlisted/48
- FY19/boxlisted/12
Provenance: Use if applicable. Note that this does not map to any field in a spawned Resource record.
Gift of Sandra Levine on 2 July 2015
Transferred from the home of Sandra Levine on 2 July 2015
Gifted by the heirs of…
Collected by Katherine Swartz and given on XXX
Purchased by XXXX on XXX date
Given in honor of…
General Note: If the item/collection was a purchase, record here the name of the fund used, whether fund is HML or BML, and purchase price.
Acquisition type:
Gift (Manuscripts)
Transfer (Archives)
Purchase
Resource type: Choose one of the following options from the list (we are choosing not to utilize all possible options in the Resource Type list).
For mixed accessions (papers/records that include one or more objects that will be transferred to WAM), select “Papers” or “Records” or "harvard university records" as appropriate.
Publish: Skip/do not check.
Access restrictions: Check this box (MSS/Archives/WAM)
Access restrictions note: Skip/do not check (info should be provided only in spawned resource records records)
Use restrictions: Skip/do not check, unless a special restriction on use is stipulated as part of the Deed of Gift (then Check).
Use restrictions note: Skip, unless a special restriction on use is stipulated as part of the Deed of Gift (then "Conditions stipulated in deed of gift.")
Dates: Enter Creation date(s) AND either Date of Transfer or Date of Physical Custody:
Expression (brackets = optional): [circa] YYYY-YYYY (inclusive) [, YYYY-YYYY (bulk)]
Type: [Select ONLY Inclusive Dates, Bulk Dates, or Single as appropriate]
Begin: YYYY, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD
End: YYYY, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD
Certainty: Leave blank or use Approximate if date is an estimate
Era: Leave blank
Calendar: Leave blank
Expression: Date of transfer: YYYY-MM-DD
Type: Single
Begin: YYYY, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD
Certainty: Leave blank or use Approximate if date is an estimate
Era: Leave blank
Calendar: Leave blank
Label: Other
Expression: Date of physical custody: YYY-MM-DD [Note: use when transfer date is unknown]
Type: Single
Begin: YYYY, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD
Certainty: Leave blank or use Approximate if date is an estimate
Era: Leave blank
Calendar: Leave blank
Extents
Type: cubic feet, Gigabytes, items, Volumes, pages (use only these options, with the capitalization/pluralization used here - ie do not use "cubic foot", "Cubic Feet", "volume", etc).
Container summary: record the number and types of boxes, or indicate network storage for transferred digital files. Do not use periods at end of field content.
Creator: Created the content you have acquired. If applicable, note "Collector" in the Relator field (such as for intentionally assembled collections).
Source: Donor, transfer agent, or vendor/seller. For records management, should be name of office (not the name of the administrator). This will be reflected in the transfer form. SKIP IF FOUND IN COLLECTION.
Subject: Skip (if later spawning a resource, please add subject headings to that resource as you would for the bib record).
Related resources:
If applicable, search for related resource (example: if this is an accrual, link to previously created resource record).
Related accessions: Skip. Should only be used in resource records.
Subjects: Use subject headings to indicate the presence of formats that may require particular attention during processing. In addition to one or more of the umbrella terms below, you may choose to use a more specific format term, such as "audiocassettes" or "DVDs." You can also use the scope and content field to clarify the types of records or their extent. See the Headings & Authorities page for a list of genre headings for commonly-appearing non-print formats.
- Electronic records (digital records): Use if the accession includes born-digital records (whether it's an electronic transfer of digital files OR a physical transfer that includes born-digital files on carrier media)
- Web archives: Use if the accession consists of or includes one or more archived websites
- Audiovisual materials: Use if the accession includes audiovisual items, such as VHS tapes, audiocassettes, film, etc.
Title: [Identify title of appendix (A, B, C, & etc.)]
Location: Control file
Publish: FALSE
Rights Statements: Skip.
Deaccessions: Only use for items returned or destroyed post-transfer and post-gift agreement. Includes original material (does not include destroying duplicates of an item). Can occur at any time after accessioning.
User defined:
Purchase Price: If applicable
Initial Location: Box ##-##; Row/Bay/Shelf -OR- HD; (date)
In the top-right, select More > Create Assessment and enter the following information:
Surveyed by: [your name]
Scroll down to the ranking section and under Interest, select 5. Optionally, add a note explaining why the collection is high interest or a priority for processing.
Spawning/linking Resource Records
For a new collection, select Spawn > Resource from the top-right tabs of the accession record.
- If linking to a processed collection resource record: add an additional extent statement to reflect the unprocessed accrual; do not update other resource record fields.
- If linking to an unprocessed collection resource record: update the resource record extent to reflect the new total, and update any other relevant fields below to reflect the new accession (date range, scope and content, etc).
- If the Resource's only accession is for a harvested Archive-It website, update the Title to include [archived website]. Example: Center for the History of Medicine. University publications [archived website].
Identifier: Enter entire collection or series number.
Level of description:
Mss: enter Collection or Item as appropriate. Collection should be used for any group of two or more items.
Publish: Mss & Arch: Do NOT check this
Restrictions: MSS & Arch: check this (since it's unprocessed)
Script of Description (REQUIRED): Latin
Dates: creation dates will pre-populate, DELETE the transfer date or other non-creation dates
Finding aid data:
Finding Aid Title: [Creator name authority if known]. [Resource title and dates]: Finding Aid
example: Tranier traction obstetrical forceps, by Collin of Paris, 1877 - 1900: Finding Aid
Script of Description (REQUIRED): Latin
Source Agent link: Delete this agent link - it appears in the finding aid as a duplicate creator.
- Select "Add Container Instance"
- Type: "Mixed Materials"
- Click downward pointing arrow to open drop down options and select "Create"
- In new Create Top Container window:
- Container Type: "Box"
- Indicator: "Small Collections xx"
- Under Locations, select "Add Location" and search for stacks location in "Location" search box.
- ASpace will search across all locations, even from other repositories, so it's helpful to use a search string like "Countway 2 B 6" (for Row 2 Bay B Shelf 6).
- Click "Create and Link to Top Container"
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DEPRECATED as of 2/4/2020 - do not add subordinate components, rely on Alma to reflect accession holdings & locations.
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Adding Archival Objects to the WAM artifact collection finding aid
- Login to ASpace and search for “Warren Anatomical Museum artifact collection.”
- Identify the “Warren Anatomical Museum artifact collection” Resource Record and click on “Edit.”
- To add a new object collection, click “Add Child.” Within the WAM artifact collection level, records may be for single objects or for collections of objects with lower-level records representing each object within the collection.
WAM artifact collection
- Object
- Object Collection
- Object
- Object
- Object
- Object
Archival Object fields to fill in at the top level:
- Title: Use the controlled form of the creator’s name followed by the title of the collection. Example: Barton, Benjamin. Medical equipment collection
- Component Unique Identifier: This may be a single WAM object number if the entry represents a single object or a WAM collection number (i.e. cXXXXX) if the entry represents a collection with multiple individual objects nested underneath.
- Restrictions apply: Select this if the collection has patient information.
- Dates: Fill in creation and/or usage dates, as known
- Era: ce
- Calendar: Gregorian
- Extent: Fill in the number of objects (Type=objects; Portion=whole)
- Agent links: Include an agent link for the creator, manufacturer, and/or user of the object(s). If the agent does not exist in ArchivesSpace, create a new agent record. Make sure the agent name is published by right clicking on the agent name, selecting View, and checking the record status.
- Subjects: Include any relevant subject headings. Create new headings as needed. Assign a minimum of three subject headings.
- Note fields
- Scope and contents: Provide a brief description of the objects in the collection. Use full sentences. Select “Publish” for the label and note fields (or see "Save record" note below).
- Immediate source of acquisition: “[Donated/transferred] by [name of donor(s) or transferring office] [in YYYY OR on Month Day, YYYY] (Acc. #YYYY-XXX).” Repeat this statement if there are multiple accessions. If more provenance information is known, provide it here. If the objects were separated from a manuscript or archives collection, indicate the collection number of the papers. Example: “Gifted by Roderick Heffron in 1976 (Acc. #2017-173). The Roderick Heffron papers constitute H MS c514. Objects were transferred to the Warren Anatomical Museum.”
- Custodial history: If there’s more to say about the provenance/custodial history beyond the immediate source of acquisition, say it here.
- If you have biographical or historical information about the object’s manufacturer, user, or collector, include a Biographical/Historical Note.
- Processing information: Use this to describe any arrangement, rehousing, preservation, or description actions taken place on the objects. Note what took place, by whom, and when.
- Save record. Click the Publish All button in the top-right of the record. You may also click Publish on each filled field as you go.
- Reorder: When you have filled in and saved your Archival Object record, click “Enable Reorder Mode,” then click on the left side of the Archival Object title in the hierarchy at the top. Drag the Object into it’s place in alphabetical order by the creator’s last name.
4. To add an item into a collection of objects, select the top-level Archival Object and click “Add Child.”
Object fields to fill in:
- Title: A brief description of the object. Example: Wecker ophthalmoscope, late 19th century.
- Object number
- Level of description: Item
- Dates: Creation date and/or Use date
- Extent
- Agents: Creator and/or Subjects. Create new Agents as needed. Make sure Agent links are published.
- Subject headings: Add any terms that apply.
- Scope and content: Add a scope and content note, if you have information at the Archival Object level.
- Immediate source of acquisition: Add an acquisition note, if you have information at the Archival Object level.
Establishing Control Files
Preliminary Description & Housing
[Need to flesh out this section]
Accessioning Archive-It Crawls (Seeds)
Institutional Seeds
A GRS series needs to be assigned to an archival seed. The majority of seeds will be assigned GRS series 1665 University Publications. However, there will be times when a different GRS series should be applied:
- Department anniversary website: 1135 Program Establishment, Management, and Review Records
- Special event website: 1850 Special Event Records
Seeds should be accessioned individually on an annual basis. On the last day of the fiscal year (June 30), an accession record should be created per seed. The accession record will take into account all crawls for that seed from the whole fiscal year.
Note: If there are seeds that have never been accessioned, accession them under the current fiscal year.
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