Chief source of information
Definition
The source of data to be given preference as the source from which an archival description (or portion thereof) is prepared.
Source: Canadian Council of Archives. Appendix D: Glossary. http://archivescanada.ca/uploads/files/Publications/RADComplete_July2008.pdf.
Introduction
The following table outlines the chief sources of information for broad classes of archival material at all levels of description.
Type of material | Fonds | Series | File | Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
Textual records See RAD 3.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including the file folder(s) or other container | Prefer in this order: (a) information found on the title page, caption or colophon (if any of these exist) (b) the item itself |
Graphic material See RAD 4.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including the file folder(s) or other container | Prefer in this order: (a) information found on the title page, caption, colophon or opening and/or closing credit screens (if any of these exist) (b) the item itself |
Cartographic material See RAD 5.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All the material in the file, including the container, and any label(s) or tag(s) used by the creator to identify the file | Prefer in this order: (a) the item itself; all the parts including a title sheet or cover (b) the container or case, the cradle and stand of a globe, etc. (c) in the case of an atlas , the title page, or if there is no title page, the source from within the atlas used as a substitute for it |
Architectural and technical drawings See RAD 6.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including the container, and any label(s) or tag(s) used by the creator to identify the file | Prefer in this order: (i) the item itself; when an item is in a number of physical parts, treat all the parts (including a title sheet or cover) as the item itself (ii) the container or case For a volume, the title page or the caption, colophon if any of these exist |
Moving images See RAD 7.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including the file folder or other container | Prefer in this order: (a) the item itself (including opening and/or closing credit sequences, etc.) or a container (and container label) that is an integral part of the item (e.g., a videocassette) (b) the container itself (e.g., a film can) (c) accompanying material (e.g., shot lists, publicity material) |
Sound recordings See RAD 8.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including including the material accompanying it | Prefer in this order: (a) the item itself, including any labels, etc., that are permanently affixed to the item or a container that is an integral part of the item (b) the container itself (e.g., a box) (c) accompanying material (e.g., lyrics) |
Electronic records See RAD 9.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | Prefer in this order: (a) sources internal to the file (e.g., title screen, main menu, internal label(s) or other identifying information) (b) system documentation produced by the agency or person(s) responsible for creating, compiling, editing, or producing the records in electronic form in the file (c) other sources (including information on the physical carrier or its container, issued by the creator, publisher, distributor, etc.). Prefer any permanently affixed paper, plastic, etc., label that is added by the publisher, distributor, etc. of the file, as opposed to those added locally, and as opposed to the container itself, which may have data embossed or printed on it | Prefer in this order: (a) sources internal to the item (e.g., title screen, main menu, internal label(s) or other identifying information) (b) system documentation produced by the agency or person(s) responsible for creating, compiling, editing, or producing the records in electronic form in the item; c) other sources (including information on the physical carrier or its container, issued by the creator, publisher, distributor, etc.). Prefer any permanently affixed paper, plastic, etc., label that is added by the publisher, distributor, etc. of the item, as opposed to those added locally, and as opposed to the container itself, which may have data embossed or printed on it |
Microform See RAD 10.0B1 | The chief source of information for the description of records on microform is the same as the chief source for the class of material in reproduced form. Consult the chapter dealing with the broad class of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. | The chief source of information for the description of records on microform is the same as the chief source for the class of material in reproduced form. Consult the chapter dealing with the broad class of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. | The chief source of information for the description of records on microform is the same as the chief source for the class of material in reproduced form. Consult the chapter dealing with the broad class of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. | The chief source of information for the description of records on microform is the same as the chief source for the class of material in reproduced form. Consult the chapter dealing with the broad class of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. |
Objects RAD 11.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including the container | The item itself together with any accompanying textual material and the container, case or stand issued by the publisher or manufacturer. Prefer information found on the object itself (including any permanently affixed labels) to information found on the accompanying textual material or on a container |
Philatelic records See RAD 12.0B1 | All of the material in the fonds | All of the material in the series | All of the material in the file, including the container | Prefer in this order, information found: (a) on the item itself, or (b) on the container |
Discrete items See RAD 13.0B1 | For the chief source of information for discrete items, consult the item-level .0B1 rules of the chapter(s) dealing with the broad class(es) of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. | For the chief source of information for discrete items, consult the item-level .0B1 rules of the chapter(s) dealing with the broad class(es) of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. | For the chief source of information for discrete items, consult the item-level .0B1 rules of the chapter(s) dealing with the broad class(es) of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. | For the chief source of information for discrete items, consult the item-level .0B1 rules of the chapter(s) dealing with the broad class(es) of material relating to the intellectual form of the unit being described. |