File
- The file is the smallest aggregate unit within a fonds. It consists of documents filed together in a way that reflects particular activities, subjects, etc., and that bear the same title. Arrangement at the file level involves grouping material together in one file folder, to be treated as one unit.
- In corporate fonds, records will likely have been filed according to an established system. Therefore, respect original order and maintain the organization of files as long as it is discernible and consistent. If there is no apparent file order, then an imposed order by chronology and subject is acceptable.
- Records can be placed into file folders in order by date of their creation or receipt, or alphabetically by subject, geography, or personal or corporate name.
- Personal papers often exhibit no order. In such cases arrange them according to one of the systems noted above.
Example A: A Corporate Fonds
Example B: A Manuscript Fonds
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