| Type | Description | Archive Function | User Need |
| Type 1: Poster | Must Have: Essential location and opening time information is available. At least a contact email is provided for enquiries. Only a brief description of overall holdings is provided. | Access | Can visit archive |
| Type 2: Brochure | Must Have: In addition to Type 1, the Type 2 archive provides at least some collection/fond level finding aids, some of which may extent to series level. Simple lists (such as shelf lists) and indexes are also included in this category, i.e. the only information provided is the location of material. The descriptions are static and the repository does not provide an in-house capability to search them.
Should Have: A downloadable enquiry form for mail-in requests. Repository rules and regulations are provided. |
Access User Support |
Can make remote enquiry Might identify some material in advance |
| Type 3: Interactive Brochure |
Must Have: The archive provides at least the same extent and depth of finding aids as Type 2, but these are searchable using tools built into the finding aid. Having a facility to search the web site is not considered equivalent to being able to search the finding aid itself.
Should Have: Some advice on conducting archival research is provided as well as an online enquiry form. |
Access User Support Reference and Research Service |
Can make online enquiry Can prepare for visit Might identify some material quickly |
| Type 4: Interactive Finding Aid |
Must Have: The archive provides the same searchable functions as Type 3, but a majority of collections are represented in finding aids with some descriptions extending to folder/file level. Online exhibitions and/or educational resources can be found.
Should Have: The archive provides tips, hints and advice on conducting archival research, online help pages for using finding aids, FAQs and links pages to related collections and repositories. Information on the archive's policies, practices and standards is available. |
Access User Support Reference and Research Service Education and Outreach Professional Development |
More likely to identify relevant material in advance May find relevant material online and/or engage in learning materials Can prepare thoroughly in advance Better understand archive policies Deposit and/or conserve own material |
| Type 5: Transaction Service |
Must Have: The archive provides all of the services of Type 4, but the majority of finding aids extend to folder/file level with some descriptions extending to item level. A wider range of search options is available in the finding aid (e.g. cross-collection, free-text, person, place and corporate names, period, exclude and Boolean operators). Finding aids should provide links to at least some digital surrogates.
Should Have: A range of additional online services. These include a submittable web form for enquiries, pre-ordering of material and reprographic services and online payment. Context sensitive help should be available as well as services tailored to specific archival user groups, such as family and house historians, local historians, academics, professionals, first time users, students, school children or teachers. |
Access User Support Reference and Research Service Education and Outreach Professional Development |
Might be able to complete research entirely online Can find and use material online Can find, order and pay for copies of material Can access specific help and resources for their needs |
| Type 6: Interactive User Community |
Must Have: The emphasis in Type 6 is on Web 2.0 interactive services that support information sharing, user-generated content and social navigation. Type 6 archives still provide searchable finding aids, but these may not be as detailed as those found in Type 5 archives. Instead Type 6 archives provide users with the tools that enable them to contribute to the development of finding aids, resources and services.
Should Have: Type 6 archives should provide users with both a public space in which to share and contribute information, and a private workspace in which to save, annotate and customise relevant information. Such services might be delivered through saved searches, tag clouds, comments, notes, ratings, live help, chat or blogs. |
Access User Support Reference and Research Service Education and Outreach Professional Development |
Can participate in a community Can share information and resources Can contribute to information and resource creation Can create and personalise resources and tools |