In the catalog record, you may encounter a reference to something called a finding aid. A finding aid is a detailed document prepared by archivists or librarians that informs researchers about a collection. It provides more information than a library or database catalog record. The finding aid tells you what you can expect if you choose to conduct research in a collection.
The finding aid gives researchers an understanding of
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who created the records,
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why they were created,
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how they were created, and
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how they are organized.
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The finding aid discusses the group of records as a whole.
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A finding aid is a useful tool to help you figure out if a collection has materials in it that might be relevant to your research question, and where in the collection those materials might be.
It is important to review the finding aid before you go to an archive in person to consult a collection. It is not necessary to read it from beginning to end, like an article.
Some finding aids are available online. Many are not. However, you can contact an archive and ask the archivist or librarian to send you the finding aid by email. After reviewing the finding aid, you will have a better sense of whether or not you want to visit the archive to conduct research.