Descriptive Notes is pleased to share an update from the Technical Subcommittee on Encoded Archival Standards: "Standards In Practice: Findings from a Community Survey on Encoded Archival Standards." You can find the blogpost here: https://saadescription.wordpress.com/2026/06/09/standards-in-practice-findings-from-a-community-survey-on-encoded-archival-standards/
In the post, Cory Nimer shares the results of a recent survey carried out by TS-EAS regarding the archivists' engagement with the encoded standards, content management systems, and more, with data input from across the globe. The study was conducted in preparation for the upcoming release of the updated encoded archival standard suite and explored the use of Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Encoded Archival Context-Corporate Bodies, Persons, and Families (EAC-CPF), as well as information about potential use of Encoded Archival Context-Functions (EAC-F). For details regarding the methodology, findings, and conclusions, please see the full post, "Standards In Practice: Findings from a Community Survey on Encoded Archival Standards."
Descriptive Notes is soliciting additional submissions for our series on AI and archival description, with the intention of providing space for conversation and multiple perspectives on the topic. We welcome case studies, editorial or perspective pieces, situated around questions such as: Are you using AI as a tool for archival description? If so, what specific work are you attempting/accomplishing with it? What have you found to be the benefits and challenges? If you've chosen not to use AI in your descriptive practice, what factors or concerns have influenced that decision, and what challenges or pressures are you encountering as a result? Descriptive Notes is looking for articles, case studies, and other posts related to the how, what, and why (or why not) of AI and description to share with our readership. Posts may consider themes such as: the descriptive workflows or projects into which you've integrated generative AI, the challenges of implementing AI, guidelines or guardrails for using generative AI in description, how you've advocated for (or against) the use of AI in your descriptive practice … and more!
Submit your pitches to saadescription@gmail.com.
You can read more on our submission guidelines here: https://saadescription.wordpress.com/guidelines/.
We are also still interested in receiving submissions for any of our existing series, as well as any announcements or updates, conference dispatches, history and heritage month-related posts, as well as our longtime favorite finding aids pieces.
Best,
Betts Coup
Blog Editor, Descriptive Notes
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Betts Coup
Head of Archival Operations
Technical Services for Archives & Special Collections
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
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