Collection Development & Appraisal Flashcards

What is 'deaccessioning' in archival practice?

Answer: Removing materials from a collection and transferring or disposing of them

Deaccessioning is the formal process by which a repository removes materials from its holdings through transfer, return, or disposal.

Which principle requires that records from different creating entities not be mixed together in archival arrangement?

Answer: Respect des fonds

Respect des fonds holds that records from different creators must be kept separate to preserve their contextual integrity.

When evaluating the 'informational value' of records, an archivist primarily considers:

Answer: The data about persons, places, subjects, or phenomena contained in the records

Informational value relates to the unique data or facts within records that are useful for research beyond the creating agency's purposes.

A 'sampling strategy' in archival appraisal is used to:

Answer: Retain a representative portion of high-volume routine records

Sampling allows archivists to preserve a representative subset of voluminous routine records while discarding redundant copies.

Which element is typically NOT included in a deed of gift agreement?

Answer: Detailed subject description of every item

Deeds of gift cover legal transfer terms and conditions but do not typically include item-level subject descriptions, which are developed later in processing.

What is 'custodial history' in the context of archival appraisal?

Answer: The record of institutions that have held the materials

Custodial history documents the chain of possession of archival materials from creation to the present, supporting their authenticity and integrity.