Implementing DACS in Integrated Content Management Systems: Using the Archivists’ Toolkit™

This course has been retired.

Certificate Eligibility:

N/A

Credits:

10 ARC, 1.5 CEU

Length:

2 days

Format:

In-Person

Max Attendees:

Tier:

Tools and Services

ACE Category:

Arrangement and Description

Description:

This intensive two-day, hands-on workshop focuses on implementation of the national content standard using an open-source application. The Archivists' Toolkit™*(AT) is one open-source application available for managing information about a repository’s collections and for producing standard descriptive products. AT supports integrated modules for accessioning, description, name and subject authority control, and location management, and also provides customizable reports and standardized description exports such as EAD, MARCXML, and METS.

Workshop attendees must bring a print copy of DACS with them to the workshop.

Issues not covered in the workshop include local network configurations of the AT application, mapping of repository-specific legacy data for import, and new features added to releases after the 1.1 version.

*The use of AT in this SAA workshop does not represent or imply SAA endorsement of this or similar products. SAA is exploring development of workshops for implementing DACS using other open-source tools.

Learning Outcomes:

Create accession descriptions

Create resource descriptions for collections and collection components

Create and manage name and subject authorities and link them to accession and resource descriptions

Record and manage physical locations within a repository

Produce description output files in standardized data structures such as EAD and MARCXML

Produce administrative reports

Import legacy data and perform data cleanup tasks

Become more familiar with DACS and how to use it, where applicable, to determine the kind and form of data recorded in the Archivists' Toolkit™

Understand technical and administrative issues relevant to setting up and managing an Archivists' Toolkit™ instance at your repository

Who Should Attend:

Archivists who’ve attended Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) workshop or have acquired familiarity with DACS

What You Should Already Know:

Familiarity with DACS

Reviews:

“As an experienced cataloger but an inexperienced archivist, getting a better sense of which information goes into which 'bin' was invaluable. The hands-on exercises made the prospect of using this tool much less daunting.”

“Hands-on experience with a computer for each participant. Opportunity to explore all aspects of Archivists' Toolkit. Lass assignment forced me to integrate it all, so it was particularly useful.”

“Understanding the name and subject fields in the Toolkit because it allows me to be more effective in description control. Previously, I wasn't certain if I was using the Toolkit's functions appropriately.” — Chris Rockwell

“The progression of the exercises worked well for me, moving me through all of AT. Previously I had only focused on resources. I definitely feel fully equipped to not only implement AT, but to use it as an administrative tool and integrate it into our IT workflow.” — Tanya Hollis

“It was so excellent to be instructed by those so intimately involved with the development and design of both AT and DACS—it's like having the privilege of a graduate seminar.” — Susan Lugo

Host a Course:

Interested in hosting a course? Visit our Host a Course page for information on what is required and how to apply!

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