CA Arrangement & Description 3

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a collection inventory in archival description?

Accepted Answer

To provide a detailed description of a collection's contents, context, and arrangement

Answer

A collection inventory is a type of finding aid that describes the contents, provenance, arrangement, and access conditions of archival materials to assist researchers.

Question 2

DACS was developed as a U.S. implementation of which international archival description standard?

Accepted Answer

ISAD(G) — International Standard Archival Description (General)

Answer

DACS was developed as the U.S. implementation of the International Council on Archives' ISAD(G), adapted to reflect North American archival practice.

Question 3

What term describes the hands-on work of physically organizing, foldering, boxing, and labeling archival materials?

Accepted Answer

Processing

Answer

Processing refers to the physical and intellectual work of arranging, describing, and making archival materials accessible, including housing them appropriately.

Question 4

Which finding aid element provides background information on the person, family, or organization that created the records?

Accepted Answer

Administrative/Biographical History

Answer

The Administrative or Biographical History element contextualizes the records by describing the creator's life, activities, or organizational structure and history.

Question 5

What is a 'register' in archival terminology?

Accepted Answer

A type of finding aid listing the contents of a collection at the folder level

Answer

A register is a type of finding aid, common in manuscript repositories, that describes a collection's contents and organization, typically including a container list at the folder level.

(CA) Certified Archivist Certification Practice Test

(CA) Certified Archivist Certification Practice Test

CA Arrangement & Description 3