> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/appendices/appendix-b.-best-practices-at-a-glance.md).
# Appendix B. Best Practices At-a-Glance
This appendix consists of the compiled best practice recommendations in an abbreviated format that can be used as a pocket guide to accessioning. Please refer to the full text for each of the recommendations for explanations and more detailed guidance.
#### [Section 1: Accessioning Workflow](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/get-ready-before-you-go-documenting-the-accessioning-workflow-and-creating-the-collection-file.md#section1)
[BEST PRACTICE 1.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/get-ready-before-you-go-documenting-the-accessioning-workflow-and-creating-the-collection-file.md#bp1-1) ➤ Create and use a system to track accessioning work
[GOING FURTHER 1.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/get-ready-before-you-go-documenting-the-accessioning-workflow-and-creating-the-collection-file.md#bp1-2) ➤ Systematically track accessioning labor and capacity
#### [Section 2: The Collections File](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/get-ready-before-you-go-documenting-the-accessioning-workflow-and-creating-the-collection-file.md#section2)
[BEST PRACTICE 2.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/get-ready-before-you-go-documenting-the-accessioning-workflow-and-creating-the-collection-file.md#bp2-1) ➤ Compile accessioning documentation and information in the collection file
#### [Section 3: Selection and Appraisal](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations#section3)
[BEST PRACTICE 3.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp3-1) ➤ Involve accessioning staff early in the acquisition process
[BEST PRACTICE 3.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp3-2) ➤ Document collections before acquisition or packing
[BEST PRACTICE 3.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp3-3) ➤ Solicit source-provided description of potential acquisitions
[BEST PRACTICE 3.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp3-4) ➤ Approach conversations about a source’s care of materials and personal digital practices with sensitivity
[BEST PRACTICE 3.5](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp3-5) ➤ Create a plan to treat culturally sensitive materials with culturally responsive care
[**Section 4: Legal Agreement**](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations#section4)
[BEST PRACTICE 4.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-1) ➤ Be clear and transparent in legal agreements about what will happen to materials after transfer
[BEST PRACTICE 4.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-2) ➤ Consider the expertise and insights of staff responsible for the entire archival lifecycle during the negotiation process
[BEST PRACTICE 4.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-3) ➤ Negotiate and execute a legal agreement before materials are physically transferred to the custody of an archives
[BEST PRACTICE 4.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-4) ➤ Clearly identify restrictions
[BEST PRACTICE 4.5](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-5) ➤ Clearly define intellectual property rights
[ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#additional-considerations-consider-alternative-permissions-agreements) ➤ Consider alternative permissions agreements
[BEST PRACTICE 4.6](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-6) ➤ Advocate for reproduction and usage rights for the institution to protect and enable future work
[BEST PRACTICE 4.7](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-7) ➤ Establish a policy for materials transferred without an agreement
[BEST PRACTICE 4.8](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-8) ➤ Have a deaccession plan
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-9) [BEST PRACTICE 4.9](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-9) ➤ Include born-digital materials in legal agreements
[BEST PRACTICE 4.10](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-10) ➤ Establish a policy for accessioning collections on deposit
[BEST PRACTICE 4.11](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/pre-custodial-considerations.md#bp4-11) ➤ Clearly document shared stewardship arrangements
#### [Section 5: Packing and Intake of Physical Collections](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections#section5)
[BEST PRACTICE 5.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp5-1) ➤ Pack collections in situ whenever possible
[BEST PRACTICE 5.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp5-2) ➤ Pack only what is being acquired and appraise again while packing, if needed
[BEST PRACTICE 5.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp5-3) ➤ Pack collections for safe transport
[BEST PRACTICE 5.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp5-4) ➤ Reuse, recycle, and repurpose packing materials
#### [Section 6: Receiving and Storage Environments](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections#section6)
[BEST PRACTICE 6.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp6-1) ➤ Designate a consistent location for new acquisitions
[BEST PRACTICE 6.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp6-2) ➤ Storage for new acquisitions and accessioned materials should be secure, accessible, and environmentally stable
#### [Section 7: Initial Physical Inspection and Assessment of Physical Materials](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections#section7)
[BEST PRACTICE 7.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp7-1) ➤ Review all received items as quickly as possible after receipt
[BEST PRACTICE 7.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp7-2) ➤ Assign unique identifiers and track physical location
[BEST PRACTICE 7.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp7-3) ➤ Dispose of or return unwanted items prior to accessioning
#### [Section 8: Transfer, Intake, and Assessment of Born-Digital Materials](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections#section8)
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-1) [BEST PRACTICE 8.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-1) ➤ Select a transfer method suitable for the source and the needs of the content
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-2) [BEST PRACTICE 8.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-2) ➤ Generate a file directory and checksum before transfer
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-3) [BEST PRACTICE 8.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-3) ➤ Collect information on any encryption keys, passwords, and hardware needed to access born-digital materials
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-4) [BEST PRACTICE 8.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-4) ➤ Use a dedicated file transfer utility to move digital materials to digital collections storage
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-5) [BEST PRACTICE 8.5](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-5) ➤ Assess born-digital materials within a quarantined environment
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-6) [BEST PRACTICE 8.6](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-6) ➤ Run a virus scan on born-digital materials
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-7) [BEST PRACTICE 8.7](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/establishing-custody-packing-transfer-and-intake-of-new-collections.md#bp8-7) ➤ Use a write blocker when interacting with new collections
#### [Section 9: Rehousing](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization#section9)
[BEST PRACTICE 9.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp9-1) ➤ House for stabilization
[ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#additional-considerations-house-with-users-in-mind) ➤ House with users in mind
[GOING FURTHER 9.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp9-2) ➤ House in archival containers
[BEST PRACTICE 9.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp9-3) ➤ Maintain original order during rehousing
#### [Section 10: Preservation](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization#section10)
[BEST PRACTICE 10.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-1) ➤ Identify and document special formats and preservation concerns
[GOING FURTHER 10.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-2) ➤ Perform minimal preservation interventions
[GOING FURTHER 10.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-3) ➤ Separate and reroute audiovisual and born-digital media
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-4) [BEST PRACTICE 10.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-4) ➤ Use consistent and standardized packaging practices and/or directory structures for digital files
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-5) [BEST PRACTICE 10.5](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-5) ➤ Deposit digital files into designated storage for digital archival materials
[BORN-DIGITAL](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-6) [BEST PRACTICE 10.6](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/stabilization.md#bp10-6) ➤ Keep multiple copies of digital files
#### [Section 11: Foundational Description](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access#section11)
[BEST PRACTICE 11.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-1) ➤ Create an accession record for each new collection and accretion as a standard part of the accessioning workflow
[BEST PRACTICE 11.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-2) ➤ Create accession records promptly after receipt of materials
[GOING FURTHER 11.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-3) ➤ Create accession records for legacy materials not yet documented in your system of record
[BEST PRACTICE 11.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-4) ➤ Apply *DACS* principles to archival description created during accessioning
[ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#additional-considerations-strive-to-create-a-single-level-description-when-describing-materials-duri) ➤ Strive to create a single-level description when describing materials during accessioning
[GOING FURTHER 11.5](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-5) ➤ Create container lists, as well as more in-depth descriptions, as appropriate
[BEST PRACTICE 11.6](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-6) ➤ Consistently document the presence of special formats in accession records
[BEST PRACTICE 11.7](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-7) ➤ Strive to reuse existing information when describing an accession
[BEST PRACTICE 11.8](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp11-8) ➤ Operationalize reparative description through accessioning
#### [Section 12: Steps Toward Access](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access#section12)
[BEST PRACTICE 12.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp12-1) ➤ Consider description during accessioning as the foundation of an extensible processing program
[BEST PRACTICE 12.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp12-2) ➤ Make descriptive information about accessioned materials available to users to the broadest extent possible
[GOING FURTHER 12.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/description-and-access.md#bp12-3) ➤ Regularize “accessioning for access”
#### [Section 13: Accessioning Labor Is Multifaceted](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices#section13)
[BEST PRACTICE 13.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp13-1) ➤ Treat accessioning positions as skilled, professional labor
#### [Section 14: Best Practices for Creating Accessioning Positions](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices#section14)
[BEST PRACTICE 14.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp14-1) ➤ Create permanent positions
[GOING FURTHER 14.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp14-2) ➤ Advocate for positions with guaranteed protections and growth opportunities
[BEST PRACTICE 14.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp14-3) ➤ Clearly define the scope of work in job descriptions
[BEST PRACTICE 14.4](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp14-4) ➤ Manage expectations for productivity
[BEST PRACTICE 14.5](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp14-5) ➤ Advocate for the institution’s accessioning program
[ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#additional-considerations-look-outside-the-box-to-demonstrate-accessioning-labor-and-success-to-stak) ➤ Look outside the box to demonstrate accessioning labor and success to stakeholders
[BEST PRACTICE 14.6](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp14-6) ➤ Provide opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement
[ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#additional-considerations-encourage-contributions-to-the-field) ➤ Encourage contributions to the field
#### [Section 15: Partnerships in Accessioning](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices#section15)
[BEST PRACTICE 15.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp15-1) ➤ Empower the accessioner
[BEST PRACTICE 15.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/methods-and-practices/successful-accessioning-labor-practices.md#bp15-2) ➤ Define internal and external partnership responsibilities
#### [Section 16: What is an Accession Record?](https://accessioning.gitbook.io/archival-accessioning-best-practices/accession-record-elements#section16)
[BEST PRACTICE 16.1](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/accession-record-elements.md#bp16-1) ➤ Identify who is responsible for creation of the accession record
[BEST PRACTICE 16.2](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/accession-record-elements.md#bp16-2) ➤ Avoid editing existing accession records
[BEST PRACTICE 16.3](/archival-accessioning-best-practices/accession-record-elements.md#bp16-3) ➤ Be transparent about unknown information