Foundational Concepts & Principles Flashcards

According to SAA's Core Values statement, which of the following is a primary obligation of archivists?

Answer: Ensuring the preservation and long-term accessibility of authentic records

SAA's Core Values identify preservation of authentic records and ensuring their long-term accessibility as central archival obligations.

A 'record group' in federal archives is typically defined as:

Answer: The archives of a major government agency or bureau treated as an administrative unit

A record group is the archives of a major governmental agency treated as an archival unit for descriptive and administrative purposes.

The Dutch Manual of 1898, authored by Muller, Feith, and Fruin, is significant because it:

Answer: Codified foundational archival principles including provenance and original order

The Dutch Manual systematically codified archival theory including the principles of provenance and respect for original order, becoming the foundation of modern archival science.

Which type of records value describes usefulness to agencies for ongoing administrative, legal, or fiscal purposes?

Answer: Primary value

Primary value refers to the usefulness of records to their creating agency for administrative, legal, fiscal, and operational purposes.

In archival terminology, what is an 'accession'?

Answer: A body of materials transferred to a repository at one time from the same source

An accession is a body of materials transferred to a repository at one time and from the same source, recorded in an accession register.

What is the purpose of a 'deed of gift' in archival acquisitions?

Answer: To transfer legal title and define access and use conditions for donated materials

A deed of gift is a legal agreement transferring title of donated materials to the repository and specifying conditions of access, use, and possible restrictions.

The concept of 'macro-appraisal,' associated with archivist Terry Cook, focuses on appraising:

Answer: The functions and activities that generated records rather than the records themselves

Macro-appraisal evaluates the societal functions and organizational contexts that produce records rather than assessing individual items.