Verification process of comparing the actual content of

• Verification process of comparing the actual content of records to those portions of the supporting documentation that provide the file structure and coded values of relevant portions of the record. • Importance Verification at the time of transfer is necessary because deficiencies and inaccuracies in the records may be impossible to correct once systems become inactive in the agencies.

• • • Electronic and Special Media Services Division 200, 000 files Software independent ASCII or EBCIDIC Agricultural Data Attitudinal Data Demographic Data Economic and Financial Statistics Education Data Environmental, Scientific and Technologic Data Health and Social Services Data International Data Military Data • http: //www. archives. gov/research_room/center_for_electronic_rec ords/table_of_contents. html

Accessioning Process Transfer First-Time Copying Verification Description Package

Transfer Media

Archival Preservation System (APS)

Cool Storage - 3480 Cartridges

AERIC System 2, 000 files annually

Documentation Package

Documentation Vault

AERIC Architecture • • Operational since 1990 Constant Upgrades Oracle 8 i-based Sun Ultra Enterprise 450 server • Two dozen clients

AERIC File Types ASCII or EBCDIC • Fixed Field, Fixed Length Records • Delimited Field, Variable Length Records • Tagged Textual Documents

RG 319. EGLF. FY 83 Fixed Field, Fixed Length Records

FOOD. STAMP. HHLD 90 Delimited Field, Variable Length Records

FEDNOTE 88. DAT TAGGED TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Table: ENLIST_G_L_82_83_LS 1

Lessons Learned Finds metadata (documentation) problems • Best with many files per few layouts • Use sampling techniques • Improvements never keep pace with needs

Contact Information • • Greg La. Motta NWME, Room 5320 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, Maryland • 20740 • USA • <greg. lamotta@nara. gov> • 001 -301 -837 -1898