- Created by Chris Tanguay, last modified by Joe Carrano on Mar 26, 2021 13:30
Introduction
The following definition list was created by the MIT ArchivesSpace Working Group on Extent Types in Summer 2019. The types are meant to provide a broad description of the container or carrier type. More specific information about the container or carrier can be specified in the open-text Container Summary field. The controlled vocabulary specified below is meant as guide, and may not be comprehensive. When possible, we have used the Art & Architecture Thesaurus as a source for terms.
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Extent Type Definitions
Cubic Feet
Units of volume, in which one cubic foot corresponds to the volume of a cube that measures 1 foot × 1 foot × 1 foot. Extent is measured at the collection level in cubic feet for physical collections.
Megabytes
Unit of measurement for computer file storage. Equal to 1,048,576 bytes.
Gigabytes
A unit of information or computer file storage equal to one billion bytes.
Terabytes
Unit of measurement for computer file storage equal to approximately one trillion bytes. Specifically, 1,099,511,627,776 bytes.
Box(es)
Rigid, often rectangular containers usually with a lid or cover in which something nonliquid is kept or carried.
Folder(s)
Folded sheets of light cardboard used to cover or hold papers, letters, or other flat documents, as in a file.
Item(s)
Individual objects or works. An item may be composed of multiple parts or components. An item differs from a component in that the component cannot stand alone as an independent work.
Sheet(s)
Single pieces of paper, other than broadsides, used as a support with material written, printed, or drawn on one or both sides. The term is often used to refer to the support as contrasted to the image made on the support.
Tube(s)
Hollow, usually cylindrical objects, long in proportion to their diameter, sometimes flexible; in varied forms these may be used for conveying or containing fluids or vapor, or for containing other materials such as paper or textiles.
Volume(s)
Objects comprising sheets of paper, vellum, papyrus, or another material that are bound together. Volumes may include printed books, manuscripts, sketchbooks, or albums. Where the parts of a historical volume have been dispersed, records for the individual sheets may be linked as a historical volume for research purposes. The term may also refer to a separately bound portion or division of a written work or series that is divided into two or more sections, each contained in a separate binding; generally, multiple volumes of the same work or series are of similar dimensions and contained in similar bindings.
Cassette(s)
A sealed plastic unit containing a length of audiotape, videotape, film, etc. wound on a pair of spools, for insertion into a recorder or playback device. May be further described in the container summary using the following terms. For additional options, check the A&AT Record. See also: Guidelines for Processing Collections with Audiovisual Material: Chapter 5, Description in ArchivesSpace
Further information about the type of cassette should be provided in the Container Summary Field.
Container Summary Controlled Vocabulary (incomplete list)
Please reference the Art & Architecture Thesaurus for formats not represented below.
Flash Drive(s)
Computer storage devices involving no moving parts in which data is stored in non-volatile memory. Information can be written and retrieved to flash drives more quickly than electromechanical hard drives.
Container Summary Controlled Vocabulary
- Memory card
- USB flash drives
Hard Drive(s)
Devices that house a fixed (non-removable) hard disk for storage and retrieval of digital computer data.
Magnetic Disk(s)
Storage device that uses a magnetization process to write, rewrite and access data. For magnetic hard drives use Hard Drive(s). The type of magnetic disk should be specified in the container summary field.
Container Summary Controlled Vocabulary
- Floppy disk (Specify in dimensions in the dimensions field: 3.5”, 5.25”, 8”, or other non-standard size)
- Zip disk
- Jaz disk
Optical Disc(s)
Electronic data storage medium that can be written to and read from using a low-powered laser beam. The type of optical disc should be specified in the container summary field.
Container Summary Controlled Vocabulary
Reel(s)
A cylinder on which film, wire, thread, or other flexible materials can be wound. The type of reel should be specified in the container summary field. Tape width, reel diameter, and duration (maximum length of of storage media) should be recorded in the dimensions field when known.
Container Summary Controlled Vocabulary
Dimensions Examples
Tape width: ¼”, Reel diameter: 3”, Duration: 90 minutes
18mm, Reel diameter: 10.5”
Additional Resources for Identifying Media
Preservation Self-Assessment Program, Collection ID Guide — Audiovisual and some digital media
University of Texas, San Antonio, Libraries Special Collections, Know Your Digital Storage Media
Definition List
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