Container Types

[Sarah Harris]

Hi All,

We are currently having conversations at the University of Illinois regarding container types and what is and isn’t appropriate for our collections. Our concern is that too many container types would be cumbersome in Aspace and be ultimately counterproductive for staff use. Would anyone be able and willing to share what container types they are using? Also, any thoughts/conversations you have had in your institutions about container types would be very helpful as well.

Thanks in advance!

Sarah Harris

[Abby Hoverstock]

Hi Sarah, 

We settled on about 20 different container types that we describe with consistent vocabulary in both our catalog and in ASpace. For us, distinguishing between types is important for making collection retrievals go smoothly. We live with a degree of non-specificity when it comes to container types like "OVBox," since oversized for us can mean a wide range of sizes. When it comes to container profiles, we only apply those to our most standard-sized boxes (1 linear foot, .5 and .25 linear foot boxes). We don't apply a profile to boxes we designate as OV, or other odd-sized containers. As you suggest, that would be too cumbersome. 

Hope that helps, 

Abby 

[Katy Rawdon]

Hi Sarah,

We currently use the following container types - it's not a perfect list and could probably stand for some review, but we are definitely trying to keep the number of container types to a realistic minimum: Box, Folder, Carton, Case, Digital Folder(s), Digital File, Map Folder, Frame, Object, Reel, Videotape, Volume, Computer Disk, Audiocassette, Microfilm Reel, Art Rack, Item.

Best,

Katy

_______________

Katy Rawdon | she/they
Coordinator of Technical Services
Special Collections Research Center
Temple University Libraries
kra...@temple.edu | (215) 204-5250

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From: 'Abby Hoverstock' via Archivesspace_Users_Group <Archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org>
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2026 1:13 PM
To: Archivesspace_Users_Group <archivesspac...@lyrasislists.org>
Cc: Sarah Harris <srh...@illinois.edu>
Subject: [External] [ArchivesSpace Users Group] Re: Container Types

 

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