Appendix A - Society of American Archivists

The Scope and Content element is included in single-level minimum but also (described as anadditional element) in single-level optimum description.Chapter 2, Identity Elements2.3.4 and 2.3.5, Name SegmentThere is a discrepancy in the examples in that some of them include the Nature of the archivalunit element (papers, records, etc.) but some do not. Although we understand that the namesegment alone is discussed here, we believe that the examples would be clearer when the namesegment isn't given alone (we believe that archivists can distinguish that not everything given inan example directly illustrates that text alone). See comments:Pg. 20. In the segment which has examples, beginning with "Graciany Miranda Archilla papers" -- shouldn't the two new examples have titles as well. They are just corporate names and don'tmatch the other examples which incorporate names with their titles.Pg. 21. Should the Bessye B. Bearden examples retain "papers" -- that example is mentionedlater and it has "papers"For examples:Ray Charles oral history, National Visionary Leadership Project(In our MARC cataloging we have the date element in the title)Ray Charles oral history, 2002-10-16 : National Visionary Leadership Project2.4 Date ElementIt is unclear in DACS whether providing a range of dates followed by the word “undated” (forone or more undated portions of the unit described) is acceptable. Guidance would be helpful. Ifadditional guidance and examples regarding dates are planned for the accompanying websitefor DACS, that would address the problem.2.4.4: Reviewers found the example (but not the rule) unclear2.5 Extent Element The examples in 2.5.5 and 2.5.6 for “audio cassettes” should employ the more commonly usedspelling, “audiocassettes”. This is the form used in both RDA and AAT. If users of DACS wereconsulting either of these standards, as DACS recommends,“ audio cassettes” would not be theform used in a description based primarily on DACS. If DACS prefers to use the equivalent termfrom AACR2 or the IASA Cataloguing Rules, “sound cassettes” would be appropriate. Note:Much as I still admire Marion Matters’s Oral History Cataloging Manual (listed in Appendix B),it is no longer available from the SAA or Cataloger’s Desktop. Should companion standards belisted that are no longer available? 2.5.10 and 2.5.11 are useful but might be more so if examples combining both size and type ofelectronic material were provided. Additional examples on the accompanying website wouldbe helpful, e.g.:3 directories containing 48 pdf filesAction: DACS Revision Page 152 of 158 0113-II-A-DACS