Kokoelmapohjissa

Kokoelmapohjissa refers to templates or base structures used to describe and organize collections in archives, libraries, and museums. The plural form indicates multiple templates or instances of such bases, which may be used across different institutions or collections.

A kokoelmapohja provides a standardized schema for collection descriptions. Typical elements found in these templates include the collection title, provenance or origin, scope and content, dating and geographical coverage, physical characteristics, arrangement or structure, access and use restrictions, related material, and indexing terms such as names, subjects, and places. The template may also specify custodial information, provenance notes, and references to other descriptions or finding aids.

The primary purpose of kokoelmapohjat is to ensure consistency and comparability in cataloging. By guiding the description of a collection, they facilitate discovery, enable efficient processing, and support interoperability with other metadata frameworks and digital catalogs. The templates are often aligned with broader standards used in archival and library work, such as ISAD(G), Dublin Core, EAD, or national guidelines, and they may be adapted to fit an institution’s workflows.

Kokoelmapohjat are typically created during initial processing of a collection and updated as new information becomes available. They may exist as physical paperwork in the archival process, as digital finding aids, or as metadata templates within a library or archive’s cataloging system. Because practices and terminology vary by institution, multiple kokoelmapohjat may coexist to cover different collection types, such as fonds, series, and digital collections.