Creating your own finding aid is a fantastic way to organize and make collections of documents, photographs and other materials accessible. Whether you're managing personal collections, community archives, or materials for a small museum, a well-crafted finding aid can be invaluable. Here's a simple guide to get you started on creating your finding aid, ensuring it's both informative and easy to navigate.
Firstly, it's important to understand what a finding aid is. A finding aid is a document that provides detailed information about a specific collection. It includes a description of the collection's content, organizational structure and information on accessing the materials. The goal is to make the collection accessible and understandable to users.
The process of creating a finding aid can be broken down into several steps.
- Start by thoroughly assessing your collection. This involves identifying the scope and content of the materials you have. Are they letters, photographs, manuscripts or a mix of various types? Understanding what you have is crucial in determining how to organize it.
- Organize your collection. This might involve physically arranging documents and other items and deciding on a logical structure for your finding aid. Common organizational methods include chronological, thematic or type of material.
- Once your collection is organized, it's time to write the finding aid.
- Start with a general overview of the collection, including its title, dates, and a brief history or background. This provides context for the materials.
- Create a detailed inventory or list of the items in the collection. For each item or series of items, provide a description that includes relevant information such as dates, subjects and any unique characteristics.
- Don't forget to include information on accessing the collection and any applicable restrictions. Accessibility is key, so consider how users interact with your finding aid.
- Will it be available online, in print, or both? Make sure the format is user-friendly.
- Finally, review and revise your finding aid. It's helpful to have someone else look it over to ensure it's clear and accessible. Remember, a good finding aid is a catalog of materials and an invitation to explore and discover the stories within your collection.
In conclusion, creating a finding aid requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following these steps, you can create a tool that organizes your collection and makes it accessible and engaging for users.
For More Information
- Guidelines for Creating Finding Aids Using Archivists' Toolkit - Society of American Archivists (SAA)
- Finding Aid Template - The Sustainable Heritage Network
- Finding Aids: Tools and Tips for Basic Description ▶️ - Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY)
- Processing Guidelines: Chapter 4, Creating Finding Aids - Archives of American Art (Smithsonian)
- Finding Aids - Wikipedia
- Archives 101 Part III: Creating Finding Aids ▶️ - Connecticut League of Museums
- Find Aid Basics: An Introduction to DACS ▶️ - Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY)
- Characteristics of Successful Finding Aids - Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC)
- Introduction on How to Write a Finding Aid - John B. Coleman Library at Prairie View A&M University