Appendix 2: Acceptable extent formats
Parent level
Use whichever unit is most appropriate out of boxes, files and volumes.
In addition, state the number of outsize items.
For example:
• 5 boxes
• 10 files
• 4 volumes
• 5 boxes, 2 outsize boxes
• 6 boxes, 2 outsize items
Item level
Use either file or volume as appropriate:
• 1 file
• 1 file (in 2 parts)
• 1 volume
• 1 file (in 2 parts, 1 part is a volume)
Parent level
Quantity and basic format, for example:
2 tape cassettes
3 DVDs
5 videocassettes
Item level
Basic format information, for example:
1 tape cassette
1 film reel
1 DVD
1 CD
For additional details, see the Visual & Material Culture Cataloguing manual
Parent level
Aggregate of items, for example:
5 drawings
2 paintings
4 prints, 2 photographs
Item level (individual work)
Quantity and broad type of item, for example:
1 drawing
1 painting
1 photograph
1 print
Item level (multiple images on a single support)
2 paintings on 1 sheet
4 photographs on 1 card mount
Item level (multiple works in an original container)
Use one of the following terms for the container:
album; sketchbook; portfolio; volume; scrapbook; box
For example:
15 prints in 1 portfolio;
24 drawings in one sketchbook
Parent level
Quantity of orderable unites phrased as "[X] digital items".
For example:
1 digital item
15 digital items
Item level
Use the following terms and add the quantities for whichever apply:
document files
image files
encoded audio files
encoded moving image files
spreadsheets
database files
presentation files
disc image
other files
For example: 25 image files, 4 document files, 1 spreadsheet and 1 other file
At parent level, include the different formats in one extent field. For example:
10 boxes, 5 DVDs, 3 volumes
4 files, 3 digital items
20 boxes, 5 drawings, 2 prints, 1 digital item
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