# ADAC-Preservation 1.0 — Field Vocabulary Guide (Practitioner Edition)

**Audience**: Archivists, preservation administrators, records managers, special collections staff

This guide presents practical archival interpretation first, then complete term listings and definitions.

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## A. Practical interpretation

- Use processing status terms to represent true processing depth.
- Use level-of-description terms to preserve archival hierarchy.
- Treat preservation level and risk terms as policy-impacting commitments.
- Use rights/restriction/condition terms consistently for transparency and reuse.

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## B. Complete vocabulary listings and definitions

### B.1 Processing Status (`accession.processingStatus`)

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `unprocessed` | Materials accessioned but not yet arranged or described. |
| `minimallyProcessed` | Basic arrangement and collection-level description complete. |
| `partiallyProcessed` | Some series/files arranged and described; work continuing. |
| `fullyProcessed` | Complete arrangement and description; finding aid published where appropriate. |
| `reprocessing` | Previously processed materials currently being reprocessed. |

### B.2 Level of Description (`description.levelOfDescription`)

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `fonds` | Whole records of a creator; highest level. |
| `subFonds` | Subdivision of a fonds. |
| `series` | Documents arranged as a unit because of common subject/function/form. |
| `subSeries` | Subdivision of a series. |
| `file` | Grouping of documents (folder/dossier). |
| `item` | Smallest indivisible archival unit. |
| `collection` | Artificial assembly created by repository rather than organically accumulated. |

### B.3 Preservation Level (`preservation.preservationLevel`)

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `fullPreservation` | Full preservation commitment including migration planning. |
| `bitLevelPreservation` | Bitstream preservation commitment without migration commitment. |
| `contentPreservation` | Intellectual content preservation with potential format transformation. |
| `accessOnly` | Access holding without long-term preservation commitment. |
| `transitional` | Preservation level under review/undetermined. |

### B.4 Format Risk (`preservation.formatAssessment.*.riskLevel`)

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `low` | Stable, well-supported format. |
| `medium` | Supported format with emerging risk indicators. |
| `high` | Significant risk of obsolescence. |
| `critical` | Obsolete or imminently obsolete; urgent mitigation required. |

### B.5 Copyright Status (`rights.copyrightStatus`)

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `publicDomain` | Not protected by copyright. |
| `inCopyright` | Protected by copyright with identified holder. |
| `inCopyrightOrphan` | Protected by copyright; holder unknown/unlocatable. |
| `licensedOpen` | Protected by copyright but openly licensed. |
| `copyrightUndetermined` | Copyright status not determined. |
| `copyrightAssigned` | Copyright assigned to holding institution. |

### B.6 Restriction Types

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `none` | No restriction. |
| `personalData` | Data-protection restriction. |
| `medicalPrivacy` | Health/medical privacy restriction. |
| `minorProtection` | Restriction to protect minors. |
| `donorRequested` | Restriction requested by donor. |
| `sealed` | Court-sealed materials. |
| `classified` | National security classified material. |
| `timeEmbargo` | Time-limited embargo restriction. |
| `physicalConditionFragile` | Restriction due to fragility. |
| `culturallySensitive` | Restriction due to cultural sensitivity protocols. |
| `copyrightRestricted` | Restriction imposed by copyright holder. |
| `administrativeReview` | Restriction pending administrative review. |

### B.7 Condition Types (`archival:condition.conditionType`)

| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| `fading` | Faded ink/print/color. |
| `foxing` | Brown spots from oxidation. |
| `tear` | Physical tear. |
| `loss` | Missing material area. |
| `stain` | Staining from water/ink/other sources. |
| `mold` | Mold or mildew damage. |
| `insectDamage` | Insect-caused damage. |
| `fireDamage` | Fire or smoke damage. |
| `waterDamage` | Water damage causing warping/staining. |
| `bleedThrough` | Ink bleed-through from reverse side. |
| `creasing` | Fold/crease deformation. |
| `adhesiveResidue` | Residue from adhesives/previous repairs. |
| `previousRepair` | Visible prior repair intervention. |
| `acidification` | Acidification and brittleness of paper support. |
| `emulsionDamage` | Photographic emulsion cracking/lifting damage. |
| `silverMirroring` | Silver mirroring on photographic prints. |
| `bindingDamage` | Binding/spine-related structural damage. |