The National Archives Catalog

General Media Type

Mandatory	Repeatable	Data Type	Authority	Level Available	A/V Only	Public Element
Yes*	Yes	Variable Character Length (100)	General Media Type Authority List	Series File Unit Item	No	Yes

*This new element is mandatory for all systems except ARC.

Definition:

The general physical media form of the archival materials.

Purpose:

Defines the physical characteristics of the archival materials, which helps establish preservation, storage, retrieval, reproduction, and use requirements and allows users to search for archival materials by physical media type.

Relationship:

This element is independent.

Guidance:

Choose at least one term from the General Media Type Authority List.

Use as many General Media Types as needed to indicate the general form of the archival materials.

Examples:

Loose Sheets

Magnetic Media

Photographic Materials

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