Collection Level

This level of description is used for small collections that may be only a single container, and are generally under two linear feet. This is similar to what DACS describes as Single-level description, with some additional local required fields. Collection-level processing should involve little to no physical re-arrangement or rehousing, and will generally include only a box-level container list.

Arrangement Tasks: The collection is typically left in received order, materials are arranged intellectually, and collection is re-housed into new archival boxes when necessary. 

Description Tasks: A clear and concise abstract, scope and content note, and brief administrative/biographical history note. All description is in the front matter, and if a container list is included, it contains a simple box list without hierarchy. All the minimum required descriptive fields must be included in the description. See the sections of this manual on writing the finding aid front matter and required fields in finding aid notes, for further information about what details to include.

Final Products: A collection-level finding aid published in the Archives Portal and a catalog record. 

Finding aid examples: 

• Ballet Society photographs
• Eugene Loring photographs 
• Deborah Jowitt interview transcripts
• Richard Helbig papers