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Using the CofC ArchivesSpace Finding Aid System: Navigating Collections in CofC ArchivesSpace

This guide is to assist individuals about how to the ArchivesSpace platform, which is a database of archival collections at the College of the Charleston

Viewing a Collection Record

The page for each archival collection has different parts of the finding aid displayed including:

  • Collection Title
  • Collection Call Number ("Identifier")
  • Finding Aid Navigation tabs. Finding aids in ArchivesSpace are divided into three sections:
    • Collection Overview - this page displays the primary elements of the finding aid, including scope and contents note, date(s) associated with the collection, creator information, conditions governing access and use, biographical and historical notes, extent (volume of material), and additional descriptive information. 
    • Collection Organization - this page contains an expanded view of the objects that comprise the collection and the manner in which they are organized in containers, including boxes and folders.
    • Container Inventory - this page displays the top-level containers (box) in a collection and allows users to navigate by clicking on the container to view the records contained within.
  • In addition, there is a Sidebar on the right side of the page that contains:
    • a "search collection" box with option to limit search by dates
    • a nested list of the components of the collection's organization (series, folder/sub-series )

Screenshot of Collection Level record with title, call number, search box, and filters indicated with red text and arrows

Viewing a Folder or Item Record

When navigating the Collection Organization tab or the sidebar, information from the finding aid at the more granular series, folder, or item level may be displayed. When using ArchivesSpace, your search results may direct you to a specific folder or item. To better understand that folder or item, look at the breadcrumb-style directory information just below the title that indicates the name of the repository, collection, series (if applicable), and box for search results. 

Screenshot of item level record in ArchivesSpace with repository, collection title, series title, folder title, and container information indicated with red arrows.

Viewing and Filtering Search Results

On the results page, you can sort results by:

  • relevance (default view)
  • alphabetically by title
  • chronologically by year

Results can be filtered by by record types, subjects, and related names. These filters are listed in the column to the right of search results. The number to the right of each filter link shows the the number of results in each category.

Use the Search box on the right to search within results.

Navigation Tips

Archival description proceeds from the general (collection level) to the specific (container or series level). A finding aid contains descriptive information starting with the broadest aggregation of records (collection-level) and, when appropriate, the more specific (series, folder, or item level). 

Questions? and Comments?

Please contact Special Collections or the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture for help finding collection material and to make appointments to access material.

Special Collections will respond to questions Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture will respond to questions Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM.