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Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS 2013) data entry and CSV template

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DACS and the ISAD CSV template

At present, there is no DACS-based CSV template for importing descriptions into AtoM. However, because DACS maps so well to the International Council on Archives ‘ ISAD(G) standard, the ISAD CSV template can be used. The CSV mappings below will provide guidance on which ISAD CSV fields can be used to import your DACS-based descriptions into AtoM.

To download the ISAD(G) CSV template for AtoM, please visit our wiki page:

Field descriptions

DACS is maintained by the Society of American Archivists (SAA), and the version used in AtoM is available at:

Information below includes:

  • Template field refers to the default label for that field in AtoM
  • CSV Column refers to the title of the related column in the ((ISAD) CSV template
  • DACS Rule refers to the rule from the applicable standard and/or the instructions provided by AtoM.
  • EAD refers to the field mapping to EAD
  • Notes includes any other information needed for successful data entry or CSV import.

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Identity elements

An image of the data entry fields in the DACS Identity elements.

Identifier

Template Field Identifier

ISAD CSV Column identifier

DACS Rule: At the highest level of a multilevel description or in a single level description, provide a unique identifier for the materials being described in accordance with the institution’s administrative control system.

Optionally, devise unique identifiers at lower levels of a multilevel description. (DACS 2.1.3) The country and repository code will be automatically added from the linked repository record to form a full reference code.

EAD

<did>
   <unitid encodinganalog="3.1.1">

Name and Location of Repository

Template Field Name and location of repository

ISAD CSV Column repository

DACS Rule: Explicitly state the name of the repository, including any parent bodies. (DACS 2.2.2)

Tip

Search for an existing name in the archival institution records by typing in the first few letters of the name into AtoM’s autocomplete field. Alternatively, type a new name to create a stub repository record and link it to the current description on save. For more general information, see:

EAD

<did>
   <repository>
      <corpname>

Levels of Description

Template Field Levels of description

ISAD CSV Column levelOfDescription

DACS Rule: Select a level of description from the drop-down menu. Follow any relevant local or institutional guidelines in selecting the proper level of description. See DACS (2013) Chapter 1 for further guidance.

EAD

At the parent level:

<archdesc level="[level of description]" relatedencoding="ISAD(G)v2">

At the child level:

<archdesc level="collection" relatedencoding="ISAD(G)v2">
   <dsc type="combined">
       <c level="[level of description]">

Title

Template Field Title

ISAD CSV Column title

DACS Rule: In the absence of a meaningful formal title, compose a brief title that uniquely identifies the material, normally consisting of a name segment, a term indicating the nature of the unit being described, and optionally a topical segment.

Do not enclose devised titles in square brackets. (DACS 2.3.3)

EAD

<did>
   <unitid encodinganalog="3.1.2">

Date

Template Field Date(s)

ISAD CSV Columns eventDates, eventTypes, eventStartDates, eventEndDates

DACS Rule Record dates of creation, record-keeping activity, publication, or broadcast (eventTypes) as appropriate to the materials being described. (DACS 2.4.3)

EAD

<did>
  <unitdate encodinganalog="3.1.3">

Notes

The Date field (eventDates) can be used to enter free-text date information, including typographical marks to express approximation, uncertainty, or qualification.

Use the start and end fields (eventStartDates and eventEndDates) to make the dates searchable. Do not use any qualifiers or typographical symbols in the start and end fields. Acceptable date formats: YYYYMMDD, YYYY-MM-DD, YYYY-MM, YYYY.

For more on how the controlled start and end date fields are used in searching, see:

Extent

Template Field Extent

ISAD CSV Column extentAndMedium

DACS Rule: Record the quantity of the material in terms of its physical extent as linear or cubic feet, number of items, or number of containers or carriers. (DACS 2.5.4) Optionally, record the quantity in terms of the material type(s) (DACS 2.5.5), and/or qualify the statement of physical extent to highlight the existence of material types that are important. (DACS 2.5.6)

EAD

<did>
   <physdesc encodinganalog="3.1.5">

Creator

Template Field Name of creator(s)

ISAD CSV Column eventActors

DACS Rule: Record the name(s) of the creator(s) identified in the name relevant in the devised title of the materials using standardized vocabularies or with rules for formulating standardized names (DACS 2.6.4). Search for an existing name in the authority records by typing the first few characters of the name. Alternatively, type a new name to create and link to a new authority record.

EAD

<controlaccess>
   <name role="[role]" id="[authority record ID]">

Child levels

These fields can be used to add lower levels to a collection level description. Click “Add new” to create as many child levels as necessary.

Child level identifier

Template Field: Identifier

ISAD CSV Column identifier

DACS Rule: Provide a unique identifier for the materials being described in accordance with the institution’s administrative control system.

EAD See the EAD mappings in the related fields.

Level of description

Template Field: Level

ISAD CSV Column levelOfDescription

DACS Rule: Record the level of this unit of description.

EAD See the EAD mappings in the related fields.

Title

Template Field: Title

ISAD CSV Column title

DACS Rule: In the absence of a meaningful formal title, compose a brief title that uniquely identifies the material.

EAD See the EAD mappings in the related fields above.

Date

Template Field: Date

ISAD CSV Column eventDates

Important

To include child levels in the ISAD CSV for import, the parentId column must contain the legacy ID of the parent record. For example, if the parent record has the legacy ID 249 recorded in the legacyId column, the child record must have the number 249 in the parentId column, as shown in the table here:

title legacyId parentId
DACS parent level 249  
DACS child level 250 249

DACS Rule: Record a date of creation.

EAD See the EAD mappings in the related fields above.

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Content and structure elements

Data entry fields in the DACS content and structure elements.

The data entry fields for the content and structure elements of the DACS archival description edit template.

Scope and content

Template Field Scope and content

ISAD CSV Column scopeAndContent

DACS Rule: Record information about the nature of the materials and activities being reflected in the unit being described to enable users to judge its relevance, including information about functions, activities, transactions, and processes; documentary form(s) or intellectual characteristics; content dates; geographic areas and places; subject matter; completeness of the materials; or any other information that assists the user in evaluating the relevance of the materials. (DACS 3.1)

EAD

<scopecontent encodinganalog="3.3.1">
   <p>

System of Arrangement

Template Field System of arrangement

ISAD CSV Column arrangement

DACS Rule: Describe the current arrangement of the materials in terms of the various aggregations within it and their relationships. (DACS 3.2.3)

EAD

<scopecontent encodinganalog="3.3.4">
   <p>

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Conditions of access and use elements

Data entry fields in the DACS conditions of access and use elements

The data entry fields for the conditions of access and use elements of the DACS archival description edit template.

Conditions governing access

Template Field Conditions governing access

ISAD CSV Column accessConditions

DACS Rule: Give information about any restrictions on access to the unit being described (or parts thereof) as a result of the nature of the information therein or statutory/contractual requirements. As appropriate, specify the details of the restriction. If there are no restrictions, state that fact. (DACS 4.1.5)

EAD

<scopecontent encodinganalog="3.4.1">
   <p>

Physical access

Template Field Physical access

ISAD CSV Column physicalCharacteristics

DACS Rule: Provide information about the physical characteristics or condition of the unit being described that limit access to it or restrict its use. (DACS 4.2.5)

EAD

<scopecontent encodinganalog="3.4.3">
   <p>

Technical access

Template Field Technical access

ISAD CSV Column Not mapped to ISAD(G) CSV template

DACS Rule: Provide information about any special equipment required to view or access the unit being described, if it is not clear from the Extent element. (DACS 4.3.5)

EAD Not mapped to EAD.

Conditions governing reproduction and use

Template Field Conditions governing reproduction and use

ISAD CSV Column reproductionConditions

DACS Rule: Give information about copyright status and any other conditions governing the reproduction, publication, and further use (e.g., display, public screening, broadcast, etc.) of the unit being described after access has been provided. (DACS 4.4.5)

EAD

<scopecontent encodinganalog="3.4.2">
   <p>

Languages of the material

Template Field Languages of the material

ISAD CSV Column language

Note

Use a two-letter language code from ISO 639-1 when importing from CSV.

DACS Rule: Record the language(s) of the materials being described. (DACS 4.5.2)

EAD

<did>
   <langmaterial encodinganalog="3.4.3">
      <language langcode="[ISO code]">

Scripts of the material

Template Field Scripts of the material

ISAD CSV Column script

Note

Use a four-letter script code from ISO 15924 when importing from CSV.

DACS Rule: Record the scripts(s) of the materials being described.

EAD

<did>
   <langmaterial encodinganalog="3.4.3">
      <language scriptcode="[ISO code]">

Language and script notes

Template Field Language and script notes

ISAD CSV Column languageNotes

DACS Rule: Record information about any distinctive alphabets, scripts, symbol systems, or abbreviations employed (DACS 4.5.3). If there is no language content, record “no linguistic content.” (DACS 4.5.4)

EAD

<did>
   <langmaterial encodinganalog="3.4.3">

Finding aids

Template Field Finding aids

ISAD CSV Column findingAids

DACS Rule: Record information about any existing finding aids that provide information relating to the context and contents of the unit being described including any relevant information about its location or availability, and any other information necessary to assist the user in evaluating its usefulness. Include finding aids prepared by the creator (e.g., registers, indexes, etc.) that are part of the unit being described. (DACS 4.6.2)

EAD

<otherfindaid encodinganalog="3.4.5">
   <p>

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Acquisition and appraisal elements

Data entry fields in the DACS acquisition and appraisal elements

The data entry fields for the acquisition and appraisal elements of the DACS archival description edit template.

Custodial history

Template Field Custodial history

ISAD CSV Column archivalHistory

DACS Rule: Record the successive transfers of ownership, responsibility, or custody or control of the unit being described from the time it left the possession of the creator until its acquisition by the repository, along with the dates thereof, insofar as this information can be ascertained and is significant to the user’s understanding of the authenticity. (DACS 5.1.3)

EAD

<custodhist encodinganalog="3.2.3">
   <p>

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Template Field Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

ISAD CSV Column acquisition

DACS Rule: Record the source(s) from which the materials being described were acquired, the date(s) of acquisition, and the method of acquisition, if this information is not confidential. (DACS 5.2.3)

EAD

<acqinfo encodinganalog="3.2.4">
   <p>

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Template Field Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

ISAD CSV Column appraisal

DACS Rule: Where the destruction or retention of archival materials has a bearing on the interpretation and use of the unit being described, provide information about the materials destroyed or retained and provide the reason(s) for the appraisal decision(s), where known. (DACS 5.3.4)

EAD

<appraisal encodinganalog="3.3.2">
   <p>

Accruals

Template Field Accruals

ISAD CSV Column accruals

DACS Rule: If known, indicate whether or not further accruals are expected. When appropriate, indicate frequency and volume. (DACS 5.4.2)

EAD

<accruals encodinganalog="3.3.3">
   <p>

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Notes elements

An image of the data entry fields for the Notes area.

The data entry fields for the Notes area.

General note(s)

Template Field General note(s)

ISAD CSV Column generalNote

DACS Rule: Record, as needed, information not accommodated by any of the defined elements of description. (DACS 7.1.2)

EAD

<did>
   <note type="generalNote">
       <p>

Specialized note(s)

Template Field Specialized note(s)

ISAD CSV Column N/A

DACS Rule: Select a note type from the drop-down menu and record, as needed, specialized information not accommodated by any of the defined elements of description, including Conservation (DACS 7.1.3), Citation (DACS 7.1.5), Alphanumeric designation (DACS 7.1.6), Variant title information (DACS 7.1.7), or Processing information (DACS 7.1.8).

EAD

Conservation note:

<odd type="dacsConservation">
      <p>

Citation note:

<odd type="dacsCitation">
      <p>

Alphanumeric designation note:

<odd type="dacsAlphanumericDesignation">
      <p>

Variant title information note:

<odd type="dacsVariantTitleInformation">
      <p>

Processing information note:

<odd type="dacsProcessingInformation">
      <p>

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Description control elements

An image of the data entry fields for the Description control area.

The data entry fields for the Description control area.

Sources used

Template Field Sources used

ISAD CSV Column sources

DACS Rule: Record relevant information about sources consulted in establishing or revising the description. (DACS 8.1.3)

EAD

<did>
   <note type="sourcesDescription">
       <p>

Rules or conventions

Template Field Rules or conventions

ISAD CSV Column rules

DACS Rule: Record the international, national or local rules or conventions followed in preparing the description. (DACS 8.1.4)

EAD

<eadheader>
   <profiledesc>
      <descrules encodinganalog="3.7.2">

Archivist and date

Template Field Archivist and date

ISAD CSV Column archivistNote

DACS Rule: Record the name(s) of the person(s) who created or revised the description, as well as the creation or revision date. (DACS 8.1.5)

EAD

<archdesc>
   <processinfo>
      <p>

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Access points

An image of the data entry fields for the Access points area.

The data entry fields for the Access points area.

The DACS standard does not include rules about access points, but it does include general high-level guidance on their use and where relevant information can be found when constructing controlled vocabulary terms (See pg xxiv in Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Second Edition).

Subject access points

Template Field Subject access points

ISAD CSV Column subjectAccessPoints

DACS Rule: The topical subject matter to which the records pertain is among the most important aspects of the archival materials. Terms suggesting topics that might be employed as access points may be found in the following areas of the descriptive record:

  • Title Element (2.3)
  • Scope and Content Element (3.1)
  • Administrative/Biographical History Element (2.7)

A variety of general and specialized subject thesauri, including the Library of Congress Authorities, may be employed as the source for standardized terminology.

EAD

<controlaccess>
   <subject>

Place access points

Template Field Place access points

ISAD CSV Column placeAccessPoints

DACS Rule: The names of places and geographic features to which the records pertain may be important to researchers. Geographic place-names that should be considered for use as access points may be found in the following parts of the descriptive record:

  • Name of Creator(s) Element (2.6)
  • Title Element (2.3)
  • Scope and Content Element (3.1)
  • Administrative/Biographical History Element (2.7)

EAD

<controlaccess>
   <geogname>

Genre access points

Template Field Genre access points

ISAD CSV Column genreAccessPoints

DACS Rule: Terms that indicate the documentary form(s) or intellectual characteristics of the records being described (e.g., minutes, diaries, reports, watercolors, or documentaries) provide the user with an indication of the content of the materials based on an understanding of the common properties of particular document types. For example, one can deduce the contents of ledgers because they are a standard form of accounting record, one that typically contains certain types of data. Documentary forms are most often noted in the following areas of the descriptive record:

  • Title Element (2.3)
  • Extent Element (2.5)
  • Scope and Content Element (3.1)

The Art & Architecture Thesaurus, the Library of Congress Authorities, or appropriate media-specific thesauri should be the first sources consulted for terms denoting documentary forms and literary genres.

EAD

<controlaccess>
   <genreform>

Name access points

Template Field Name access points (subjects)

ISAD CSV Column nameAccessPoints

DACS Rule: The names of persons, families, and organizations that are associated with a body of archival materials, either as the creator or the subject of the records, constitute an important pathway by which researchers discover relevant materials. Names that are rendered as nominal access points can be found in several areas of the descriptive record:

  • Name of Creator(s) Element (2.6)
  • Title Element (2.3)
  • Scope and Content Element (3.1)
  • Administrative/Biographical History Element (2.7)
  • Custodial History Element (5.1)
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition Element (5.2)

At a minimum, an access point should be made for every name included in the Name of Creator(s) Element in a single-level description or at the highest level in a multilevel description. Names found in other descriptive elements may be utilized as access points in accordance with local or consortial practice.

EAD

<controlaccess>
   <name role="subject">

Note

The DACS standard also recommends access points related to occupations, as well as functions and activities. In AtoM, this data can be captured on other entity types, such as authority records (which allow the addition of Occupation access points) and function records. For more information, see:

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Administration area

An image of the data entry fields for the Administration area.

The data entry fields for the Administration area.

Display standard

Template field Display standard

CSV column N/A

DACS Rule N/A

EAD N/A

Note

This fields allows the user to choose a different display standard from the default template for the shown archival description only, with the option to also change the display standard for all existing children of the description. See: Change the display standard.

Publication status

Template field Publication status is available under the More tab located on the description view page.

CSV column publicationsStatus

DACS Rule N/A

EAD

<odd type="publicationStatus">
   <p>

Note

The publication status refers to the public visibility of a description for unauthenticated (e.g. not logged in) users. The default terms available are “Published” (i.e. visible to public users), and “Draft” (e.g. not visible to public users). See: Publish an archival description.

In the Global Site Settings, if the default publication status is set to draft, all imported descriptions will be set to draft and the EAD file will have the value “draft” in the <odd type=”publicationStatus”> tag.

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