{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.01631321370309951, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.147869674185464, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 1}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Guide to the muniments of Westminster Abbey

The final module focuses on designing descriptive and access systems. As with the previous modules, the author of this one emphasises that providing access is one of the most important aims of keeping archives and of the arrangement and description process in particular. The third module is more technical in nature and makes a good case for ensuring that any accessioning or description data should be captured in a structured (e.g. xml or tab-delineated) format – a Word table would be barely acceptable because of the amount of resource needed to upgrade it to a decent metadata management system. The module systematically goes through the functionality that is needed for descriptive and access systems, including evaluation and performance measurement. The module also provides the greater context in which description metadata need to sit and so make mention of preservation and more general management metadata. It offers a range of options for delivering descriptive metadata including encoded archival description (EAD), across different systems (‘discovery layers’), user contribution systems and content management systems. Each option is described and analysed. The publication of digital images of archival collections linked to the description is also covered. This guidance offers solutions for not only well-resourced environments but also for small and cash-poor repositories. For example, the first appendix is a summary of recommendations which gives simplest, more advanced and most advanced options. Two case studies are also given in the appendices – they serve to highlight one of the points the author makes about no one system having all the functionality needed to manage the process. Another appendix gives a useful list of the available tools to support description and access and of course there is a further reading list. Archival Arrangement and Description is an excellent handbook for the arrangement and description process. It explains the issues and provides methodologies and practical solutions to the challenges posed by modern recordkeeping habits. Although the book is quite North American in feel, many of the issues and solutions are universal. Taken as a whole, this publication will enable new professionals as well as archivists in low resource environments to work out how to create standards compliant on-line finding aids in an effective and efficient way.