Foundational Concepts & Principles Flashcards

What distinguishes archives from libraries in terms of the nature of their holdings?

Answer: Archives hold unique, organically created records; libraries primarily hold published, intentionally distributed materials

Archives hold unique records created organically through activity, while libraries collect published materials intentionally produced for distribution.

In archival science, 'reliability' of a record means:

Answer: The record is a full and accurate representation of the transaction it documents

Reliability refers to the trustworthiness of a record's content as a full and accurate representation of the transactions or facts documented.

What is meant by 'deaccessioning' in archival practice?

Answer: The formal removal of materials from archival custody through transfer, return, or destruction

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

Which term describes the totality of all archival material created by a single creator (person, family, or organization)?

Answer: Fonds

A fonds is the whole of the records, regardless of form or medium, created and/or accumulated by a particular person, family, or organization.

Which of the following best describes 'functional appraisal'?

Answer: Assessing records according to the administrative functions and activities that created them

Functional appraisal evaluates the significance of the functions and activities documented by records rather than the informational content of individual items.

In the context of archival ethics, 'conflict of interest' for an archivist most commonly arises when:

Answer: Personal financial or other interests could improperly influence professional decisions about acquisition, appraisal, or access

Conflict of interest occurs when an archivist's personal interests could compromise or appear to compromise their professional judgment.

What is the primary purpose of a 'records retention schedule'?

Answer: To specify how long different types of records must be kept and their final disposition

A records retention schedule establishes how long each type of record must be retained and authorizes final disposition—either destruction or transfer to archives.