archiefcatalogi

Archiefcatalogi are structured descriptions of archival holdings created by archives, museums, or memory institutions to document and facilitate access to fonds, collecties, series, subseries, and individual items. They function as inventories or finding aids, helping researchers understand the contents, provenance, and context of materials.

A typical archiefcatalogus includes metadata such as the fonds of origin, title, title variations, date range, extent (physical or digital), form and media, languages, and the provenance or custodial history. It also records the arrangement and organisational history, scope and content notes, described items or series, related descriptions, and the existence of related digital objects. Access and use restrictions, openbaarheid (public accessibility), and copyright considerations are commonly noted, along with references to related archival material.

The catalog usually follows a hierarchical structure that mirrors archival organization: fonds, series, subseries, files, and items. Standardised description practices and controlled vocabularies support interoperability. In archival practice, standards such as ISAD(G) for general description, ISAAR(CPF) for corporate bodies and agents, and EAD for encoding finding aids are frequently used. In library contexts, MARC or Dublin Core may appear, particularly for digital or cross-domain catalogs.

Purpose and use: archiefcatalogi enable discovery, data-driven retrieval, and contextual understanding of collections. They support researchers, archivists, and public users, and serve as basis for preservation planning, rights management, and digital access. Ongoing maintenance, consistent terminology, and periodic updates are essential to ensure accuracy and long-term accessibility.