An Archive of Terminology

Archiving, like many professions, utilizes many technical terms. Below is a small sampling on common terms and their generally accepted definitions. Feel free to reference this list while reading post on archiving.

ACCESSION
(v.) To transfer physical and legal custody of documentary materials to an archival institution.
(n.) Materials transferred to an archival institution in a single accessioning action (Daniels, 1984)

ARTIFICIAL COLLECTION
n. A collection of materials with different provenance assembled and organized to facilitate its management or use (Pearce-Moses, 2005).

DISPOSITION
The final action that puts into effect the results of an appraisal decision for a series of records. Transfer to an archival institution, transfer to a records center, and destruction are among possible dispositions (Daniels, 1984).

INFORMATIONAL VALUE
The value of records or papers for information they contain on persons, places, subjects, and things other than the operation of the organization that created them or the activities of the individual or family that created them (Daniels, 1984).

ORGANIC COLLECTION
n. A body of records that grows as the result of the routine activities of its creator( Pearse-Moses, 2005).

ORIGINAL ORDER
The archival principle that records should be maintained in the order in which they were placed by the organization, individual, or family that created them (Daniels, 1984).

REPOSITORY
n. A place where things can be stored and maintained; a storehouse (Pearse-Moses, 2005)

Daniels, M. (1984). Introduction to archival terminology. Archives Library Information Center. Retrieved on March 6, 2008 from http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/archives-resources/terminology.html

Pearse-Moses, R. (2005). A glossary of archival and records terminology. The Society of American Archivist Glossary. Retrieved on March 6, 2008 from http://www.archivists.org/glossary/index.asp

Please comment on additional words you would like to see added to our archive.