| Level | Definition | Usage |
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| Collection | A set of archival or (more commonly) manuscript materials.1 | Use at the top level of the resource. |
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| Series | A group of similar records that are arranged according to a filing system and that are related as the result of being created, received, or used in the same activity; a file group; a record series. A group of items, each with its own title, also bearing a collective title for the group as a whole.2
| Generally used to group files. For Level 1 processing, Series may be the lowest level of description used. Series should reflect existing delineations of materials in a collection.
Legacy description may use Series to designate unincorporated accessions. |
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| Sub-Series | A body of documents within a series readily distinguished from the whole by filing arrangement, type, form, or content.3 | Sub-Series is generally only used for higher level processing. |
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| File | A group of documents related by use or topic, typically housed in a folder (or a group of folders for a large file).4 | Files may be nested under Collection, Series, or Sub-Series. File is generally used to describe folders. It may also be used to describe boxes for Level 1 and 2 processing. |
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| Item | A thing that can be distinguished from a group and that is complete in itself. An item may consist of several pieces but is treated as a whole.5 | Items are nested under File level description, and are generally only used for Level 4 processing. Item may also be used to describe books, audiovisual materials, and objects in parallel with File level description. |
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| Other Level | Levels not otherwise specified in the EAD schema. | Other Level is generally used to group files together, typically by a larger theme. If "Other Level" is selected, it must be described (see EAD @otherlevel for examples). Use "File Group" to describe these aggregations. Other Level may also be used for designations such as "Sub-Sub-Series."
Legacy description may use Other Level to describe aggregate box level description, however this practice should not be applied to new description. |
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| Class | The highest or root element in a hierarchy.6 | Not in use. |
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| Fonds | The entire body of records of an organization, family, or individual that have been created and accumulated as the result of an organic process reflecting the functions of the creator.7 | Not in use—DDC uses the Series Descriptive System. |
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| Sub-Fonds | Subdivision of Fonds. | Not in use. |
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| Record Group | A collection of records that share the same provenance or were created in the same administrative unit.8 | Not in use—DDC uses the Series Descriptive System. |
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| Sub-Group | A body of related records within a record group or collection, each corresponding to an administrative subdivision in the originating organization.9 | Not in use. |
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