EAD 101: An Introduction to Encoded Archival

DescriptionXML and the Encoded Archival Description: Providing Access to

CollectionsOregon Library Association

Eugene, OregonApril 16, 2004

Elizabeth Nielsen, Senior Staff ArchivistOregon State University Libraries

http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu

Overview

• Background on the description of archival materials.

• The nuts and bolts of EAD including examples of elements and attributes.

• Why is EAD (in addition to MARC) important to archivists?

• Demonstrate the NWDA finding aids database.

Why?

• Inform potential users/patrons about collections -- especially important for archival collections which are not “browsable” and with which most patrons are not familiar.

• Enhance access/use of collections by providing more detailed information.

• Improve reference assistance.

Principles for Description of Archival Materials

• Different materials best served by different types/levels of description.

• Collection-level.• Hierarchical.• Item-level description only for

certain materials (e.g. photographs).

What’s a Finding Aid?

• Document that describes an archives collection.

• Two parts:– Collection-level information.– Inventory or container list at folder-

(or item-) level.

What Form Now?

• Usually created initially as word processing files.

• Posted on the web as HTML files.• MARC records created and posted

to local OPAC (OASIS), Summit (Orbis Cascades Alliance), and OCLC.

Alice Edwards Papers

• HTML finding aid (OSU Archives website)

• MARC record

Limitations to HTML and MARC

• Only “full text” searching of HTML finding aids.

• MARC records have to be created “by hand” from finding aid.

• Lack of consistency in format and content.

What is EAD?

EncodedArchival

Description

EAD is …

A set of rules for designating the intellectual and physical parts of archival finding aids so that the information can be searched, retrieved, displayed and exchanged in a predictable, platform-independent manner.

EAD Rules

• Written in the form of an SGML (or XML) Document Type Definition (DTD).

• The DTD mandates which elements are mandatory for a “valid” EAD document; which attributes are mandatory; and the order for elements and attributes.

• DTD is NOT a content standard.

• DTDs are read by computers … humans prefer the Tag Library

EAD development

• Development began in early 1990s.

• Version 1 of the DTD released in 1998.

• Version 2002 released in late 2002.

Tag Library andApplication Guidelines

• Computers read DTDs … • Humans prefer Tag Library and

additional guidance.• Standard maintained by the Library of

Congress Network Development and MARC Standards Office.

• Tag Library and Application Guidelines published by Society of American Archivists (SAA).

Best Practice Guidelines

• Online Archive of California• Research Libraries Group• Northwest Digital Archives

Role of BPG

• Ensure uniformity in structure and encoding of finding aids.

• Promote interoperability within the NWDA database among finding aids from diverse repositories.

3 high-level elements

• <eadheader> -- provides information about the creation, revision, publication of a finding aid

• <archdesc> -- information about a body of archival materials at collection level

• <dsc> -- description of subordinate components; hierarchical

Sample <archdesc> elements

• <unittitle>• <unitdate>• <origination>• <abstract>• <physdesc><extent>• <scopecontent>• <bioghist>• <controlaccess><persname>

Attributes for <unitdate>

type=era=calendar=normal=certainty=encodinganalog=

Example

<unitdatetype="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f“era="ce"calendar="gregorian" normal="1895/1962">1895-1962

</unitdate>

Sample <dsc> elements

<c01> -- [subgroup]– <unitid>– <origination>– <unittitle>– <unitdate><c02> -- [series]

<unitid><unittitle<unitdate><c03> --[item or folder]

Back to Alice Edwards …

• Look at various pieces of encoded finding aid.

• Search• Retrieve• Display• Exchange• Retain hierarchy of folder- or item-

level description.

Primary Reasons

Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA)

Database of EAD finding aids from 13 institutions in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho being developed with grant from National Endowment for the Humanities.

Disclaimers

• NWDA database under development. • Being moved to new server at this

time.• Stylesheet being enhanced and

customized.• Search engine not customized yet.• Database only includes ~300 XML

files at this time.

NWDA

Browse by Repository

Browse List of OSU Finding Aids

Edwards EAD Finding Aid

Search

Keyword Search

One Hit!

Hits in Context

Advanced Search

Hits for “Oregon State University”

Application to Other Collections

• Vertical Files• Pamphlet Files• Poster Collections• Any integrated group of materials

with common features that benefits from collection-level as well as more detailed description (especially if that is hierarchical).

Thank You.

Elizabeth Nielsenelizabeth.nielsen@oregonstate.edu

541-737-0543