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Standards & guidelines
One of the key principles on which the Access to Archives (A2A) programme is based is that of common professional and technical standards. Guidelines for contributors have also been developed.
A2A - basic archival principles for new cataloguing projects
Helpful information for A2A contributors and others on the arrangement and cataloguing of archives
- Download the basic archival principles (, 67.67kb)
Cataloguing standards for A2A
The basic editorial standards to which paper catalogues sent for inclusion in A2A need to conform. These standards interpret the General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G) in the context of A2A.
- Download the basic editorial standards (, 44.81kb)
A2A guidelines for indexing and authority controlled terms
A brief statement of what should be considered when choosing index terms, and basic guidance in the construction of index terms and creator names, with examples.
- Download the guidelines for indexing (, 207.43kb)
A2A guidelines for new and revised cataloguing
For those undertaking catalogue improvement and/or new cataloguing work as part of A2A projects.
A2A guidelines for collection level description
For those undertaking new and improved collection level description as part of A2A projects.
A2A guidelines for formatting and linking to images
Information on image dimensions, file format and file size, and on how to enable links from A2A catalogues.
How to check catalogues via the A2A database
For quality control by project staff once catalogues have been added to the A2A database.
- Download the guidelines for checking catalogues (, 19.71kb)
Return of catalogues in electronic form
What happens when retroconverted catalogues are returned to project staff.
- Download information on the return of catalogues (, 33.55kb)
Information leaflets on how to use the A2A database
Published by West Sussex Record Office staff, who are responsible for the content of the leaflets
- Download a leaflet for archives users (, 2324.96kb)
Statement on procedure for posting of revised catalogues on the A2A website
How to update catalogues on the A2A database from an amended local master version.
Useful links
- ISAD(G) - available from the International Council on Archives Committee for Descriptive Standards
- National Council on Archives' rules for the construction of personal, family and corporate names
- UNESCO thesaurus
- Encoded Archival Description official website
- Extensible Markup Language (XML)
- Revised draft code of practice for records managers and archivists under s 51(4) of the Data Protection Act 1998 - available from the Society of Archivists' website
- Data Protection Act 1998: guidelines for records managers and archivists from the Information Commissioner, The National Archives and the Society of Archivists
- Project planning for A2A - including more guidance
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