[Archivesspace_Users_Group] archival object vs. instance?

[Maura Carbone]

Hi Maureen!
Very interesting! I'll give those a read.

Thanks!
Maura

On Fri, May 15, 2015 at 2:12 PM, Callahan, Maureen <
maureen.callahan at yale.edu> wrote:

>  Hi Maura,
>
>
>
> That’s right. I would consider your example to be not terribly useful
> description, and would also say that there are better ways of letting
> people know where to find stuff in boxes. You can think of archival objects
> as a guide to meaningful information about the collection – we’re here to
> explain the content and context of objects in our care, to make sense of
> it. Instances, then, are just a relationship between that description and
> where you can find the darn stuff. Description is important, containers are
> not.
>
>
>
> I’ve written about this before here:
> https://icantiemyownshoes.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/the-value-of-archival-description-considered/
>
>
>
> And here:
> https://icantiemyownshoes.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/on-containers/
>
>
>
> Maureen
>
>
>
> Maureen Callahan
>
> Archivist, Metadata Specialist
>
> Manuscripts & Archives
>
> Yale University Library
>
> maureen.callahan at yale.edu
>
> 203.432.3627
>
>
>
> Webpage: web.library.yale.edu/mssa
>
> Collections: drs.library.yale.edu
>
>
>
> *From:* archivesspace_users_group-bounces at lyralists.lyrasis.org [mailto:
> archivesspace_users_group-bounces at lyralists.lyrasis.org] *On Behalf Of *Maura
> Carbone
> *Sent:* Friday, May 15, 2015 2:06 PM
> *To:* Archivesspace Users Group
> *Subject:* Re: [Archivesspace_Users_Group] archival object vs. instance?
>
>
>
> Hi Maureen,
>
> To follow up on that (as a non-archivist), would you recommend then not
> doing something like a nested Box1-> items in box1 etc.? Something like
> this:
>
>
>
>
> ​
>
>
>
> I don't actually create finding aids, but I am now curious!
>
>
>
> -Maura
>
>
>
> On Fri, May 15, 2015 at 1:55 PM, Callahan, Maureen <
> maureen.callahan at yale.edu> wrote:
>
>  Hi Matt,
>
>
>
> I would encourage you to think about encoding differently.
>
>
>
> An archival object is similar to what’s considered a unit of description
> in DACS and a component in EAD. “Level” is an attribute that tells you
> something about that unit of description — it is associated with levels of
> granularity in recordkeeping, and has NOTHING to do with boxes and folders.
> Setting level=‘box’ or level=‘folder’ would be an error, and an unfortunate
> conflation of groups of records and the physical wrappers that contain
> them. Please don’t do this.
>
>
>
> When you create an archival object, you’re creating a description of
> evidence from the past, regardless of its physicality. This is why you can
> associate a digital OR physical instance of it. Indeed, the same archival
> object may be just digital, physical across different instances, or digital
> and physical. I like that ArchivesSpace has separated description from
> instantiation.
>
>
>
> Maureen
>
>
>
>
>
>   On May 15, 2015, at 12:18 PM, Matthew J Gorzalski <
> mGorzalski at lib.siu.edu> wrote:
>
>
>
> This is difficult to explain in an email but here it goes…
>
>
>
> I’m having trouble understanding the relationship between archival object
> and “instance” as it pertains to creating a finding aid content list.  The
> confusion stems from my familiarity with Archon’s straightforward
> parent-child relationship hierarchy, which uses established arrangement
> terminology.  Depending on the collection, creating a series, box, folder,
> etc. is simply a matter of selecting that option in Archon’s
> Level/Container menu and adjusting the parent-child relationships from
> there.
>
>
>
> In ASpace, as I understand it, I first need to create an archival object
> and select the level of description.  If it is just a box list, I select
> “file” for box, title the box, and make the Component Unique Identifier
> “Box 1.”  But then I need to go to the “instance” menu and here is where I
> actually designate the container type as box, but I’m really just called in
> Box 1 for a second time in a different menu.  This seems redundant to me,
> because in the “archival object” data I’ve already called it Box 1 and
> given it a title.  Perhaps the interface could be simplified if the
> Archival Object, Instance, and Date menus were redesigned/merged so that
> you can create your archival object and designate the container type,
> titles, and dates right up front instead of having to scroll to the bottom
> for “instance.”  Container type, container title, and dates are the most
> important fields and the other menus like extent, agents, subjects etc. are
> added value but not critical in a box/folder list.
>
>
>
>
>
> MATT GORZALSKI
>
> University Archivist
>
>
>
> MORRIS LIBRARY
>
> MAIL CODE 6632
>
> SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
>
> 605 AGRICULTURE DR
>
> CARBONDALE, IL 62901
>
>
>
> mgorzalski at lib.siu.edu
>
> P: 618/453-2225
>
> F: 618/453-3440
>
> lib.siu.edu
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__lib.siu.edu_&d=AwMFaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=JgH2YCQ8D3P9-Lm_x4bv3d2CZBYlbx6hxnLFHtfovi8&m=ZubMFDWAu94jDCG27S3K3uw2F037N0osakw7ej3DOsM&s=h9WQmshw_oEC3DPAYgjoTlGXIqU_6_MXNV8fhb8An_Q&e=>
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> --
>
> Maura Carbone
>
> Digital Initiatives Librarian
> Brandeis University
> Library and Technology Services
> (781) 736-4659
> 415 South Street, (MS 017/P.O. Box 549110)
> Waltham, MA 02454-9110
> email: mauraa at brandeis.edu
>
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-- 
Maura Carbone
Digital Initiatives Librarian
Brandeis University
Library and Technology Services
(781) 736-4659
415 South Street, (MS 017/P.O. Box 549110)
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
email: mauraa at brandeis.edu
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