Using EAD
(EAD) is a data structure standard, designed for the markup of archival
records for the purposes of search, retrieval, presentation and navigation.
It was developed to provide a metadata standard for the retrieval, display
and navigation of archival finding aids over the Web. EAD is SGML-based
and XML compatible. It has incorporated the International Council on General
International Standard Archival Description (ISAD(G)) and the Rules for
Archival Description (RAD) standards, and provides MARC and Dublin Core
(DC) equivalencies for the storage of multiple formats.
The 118 elements can be further qualified by 'attributes' (eg source,
audience, level, parent, role) to give an extensive range of definition
to the elements in a description record giving equivalently high levels
of intellectual access. Because of this flexibility, clear implementation
guidelines are recommended for successful sharing of EAD encoded material
within and across jurisdictions. An example of an EAD encoded data structure
and the resulting display that this provides is attached.
EAD provides a hierarchical structure, with lower levels of description
inheriting content from higher levels. It enables sophisticated graphical
Web displays that provide easy navigation within and between collections.
EAD is intended for "communicating with users", and the data
required to facilitate the discovery, retrieval and use of archival materials
in a Web environment - particularly that relating to collections, items
and pieces and their surrogates (and the administration of this data)
- fit the EAD model.
Data relating to collection management functions such as acquisitions,
reader registration, item movement, conservation treatment and the maintenance
of authority terms are not provided for within EAD, although this information
can be linked to from an EAD record and summary information can be displayed
automatically or on demand. |
