Ambient Functions: Abandoned Children to Zoos
Résumé
Since records are timebound and contextual metadata must be understood by an observer whose frame of reference is different from that of the record-keeper, there is a need for external validation. The processes of terminological control (based on definition) are inadequate for this purpose. What is needed is a process of contextual control (based on observation). Ambience is the context of provenance and it is there that we will find external validation of provenance data. Functions offer one possible tool for crafting ambient relationships. Ambient functions define and give meaning to agents of record-keeping within the context in which they operate. Ambient functions should be distinguished from business activities and processes, which do not afford the basis for meaningful discrimination necessary when formulating appraisal categories and useful search patterns.
RÉSUMÉ
Puisque les documents appartiennent à leur époque et que la méta-information contextuelle doit être comprise par un observateur dont le cadre de référence est différent de celui d'un gestionnaire de documents, il y a un besoin de validation. Les processus de contrôle terminologiques (fondés sur l'observation) sont inadéquats. Un processus de contrôle contextuel basé sur l'observation est nécessaire. "L'ambiance" est le contexte de provenance et c'est là que l'on retrouvera la validation externe de l'information sur la provenance. Les fonctions constituent un outil possible pour constituer ces relations d'ambiance. Les fonctions ambiantes définissent et donnent un sens aux gestionnaires de documents à l'intérieur du contexte dans lequel ils oeuvrent. Les fonctions ambiantes doivent être distinguées des activités courantes et des différents processus qui ne requièrent pas un tri élaboré que nécessite la catégorisation des critères d'évaluation ou des plans de recherche.
Authors of manuscripts accepted for publication retain copyright in their work. They are required to sign the Agreement on Authors' Rights and Responsibilities that permits Archivaria to publish and disseminate the work in print and electronically. In the same agreement, authors are required to confirm that "the material submitted for publication in Archivaria, both in its paper and electronic versions, including reproductions of other works (e.g. photographs, maps, etc.) does not infringe upon any existing copyright." Authors of manuscripts accepted for publication retain copyright in their work and are able to publish their articles in institutional repositories or elsewhere as long as the piece is posted after its original appearance on archivaria.ca. Any reproduction within one year following the date of this agreement requires the permission of the General Editor.