Bestände

Bestände is a German term used to describe defined groups of items that are kept, documented, or managed as a single unit. The exact meaning depends on context and can refer to library holdings, archival collections, museum inventories, or commercial stock.

In libraries, archives and museums, a Bestand denotes a discrete collection originating from a single source, such as an individual, organization, or corporate body. Bestände are described in finding aids with scope and content, dates, provenance, physical description, and access conditions. They are typically organized according to the principle of provenance (keeping materials together with their originating context) and assigned unique shelf marks or catalog numbers for retrieval. Subdivisions within a Bestand may be used to reflect further divisions or time periods.

In business and logistics, Bestände generally mean inventories or stock kept for production, sale, or use. This includes raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods, collectively known as warehoused stock. Processes related to Bestände include stock-taking (Inventur), stock valuation (Bestandsbewertung), and inventory management systems. Valuation methods, such as FIFO or LIFO, may apply depending on regional accounting standards.

Overall, Bestände function as core organizational units in both cultural heritage institutions and commercial operations. The term emphasizes cohesion by origin, purpose, or ownership, while enabling systematic access, documentation, and control. The exact procedures and terminology vary by sector, but the underlying concept is the same: a defined, manageable collection of items treated as a single entity.