Introduction

Standard
(Version 1)
  Specification 1
  Specification 2
  Specification 3

Standard
(Version 2)
  Specification 1
  Specification 2
  Specification 3
  Specification 4
  Specification 5
  Advice 9
  Advice 10
  Advice 11
  Advice 12
  Advice 13
  Advice 14

Home > Standard > Standard (Version 1) > Specification 2 > VERS Metadata Detail (Elements M60-M79)

XML Element Name

naa:Format

Definition

The logical form (media and data format) and physical form (medium and extent) of the record.

Purpose

This element serves as a management tool for the control, storage and preservation of records over time. It provides information, or pointers to information, on the technology required for access to the various kinds of electronic records held by an agency. It also acts as a resource discovery access point for recordkeeping professionals and other users.

Obligation

Optional

Contains

M61 Media Format (M)
M62 Data Format (M)
M63 Medium (M)
M64 Extent (M)

Related Elements

M76 Preservation History

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Comments

NB: This element is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in a VEO as the objective of VERS is to establish a permanent long term format for all VEOs. It has been retain in order to maintain compatibility with NAA Recordkeeping metadata and may be used by agencies if required.

This element is intended to provide information on which preservation strategies will be based. Therefore, only minimal details about format and medium need to be kept for records of short-term temporary value. Such records are unlikely to ever require any kind of preservation action.

If used, information in this element needs to be updated whenever a record is migrated from one format to another or moved to a new medium.

It is recommended that this element be used in conjunction with element M76 PRESERVATION HISTORY. Selection of many of the Assigned Values under sub-element M79 Action Type should result in new details being written to this element (see Conditions under each FORMAT sub-element for specific information). The old details should be moved to element M76 PRESERVATION HISTORY, sub-element M80 Action Description.

The sub-elements are dynamic fields and shall always reflect the record’s current status with regard to format and medium.

XML Element Name

naa:MediaFormat

Definition

The generic format of the information comprising the record.

Purpose

This element provides general information about the format of the record. It enables searching on all records of a particular generic format and facilitates preservation and storage management. This element also provides a general indication of the kind of preservation action the record will require for preservation management purposes and can enable movement of records from one medium or location to another based on their generic format, so records of like format can be stored together.

Obligation

Mandatory

Assigned Values

Value Name

Definition

Audio

Sound only.

Compound

A resource comprising one or more other resources, which are linked together in some way to form a single object (eg HTML documents with embedded graphics or video clips, or email messages with word-processed documents attached). The Media and Data Formats of the individual resources comprising the object may be the same or different.

If the Data Formats of the resources comprising the object are the same, then the Assigned Value can also include the generic Media Format (eg if the object comprises several linked SGML documents, the Assigned Value could be ‘Compound (Text)’).

Image

A static graphical representation of an object (including a textual object).

Text

A textual document.

Video

Moving images or pictures.

[other]

Other agency defined value.

Related Elements

M62 Data Format

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

Compound

Comments

NB: This element is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in a VEO. It has been retain in order to maintain compatibility with NAA Recordkeeping metadata and may be used by agencies if required. If the element is used then ‘Compound’ must be used as the default value for this element.

This element shall be used in conjunction with sub-element M62 Data Format to determine precise requirements for rendering the record, or to determine specific preservation strategies.

Further assigned values for Media Formats may be added over time as formats evolve.

XML Element Name

naa:DataFormat

Definition

The logical format of the data that comprises the record.

The (often proprietary) file format of the record, usually denoted by the record’s file extension.

Purpose

This element provides specific information on which decisions about the storage, preservation and rendering of records can be made. It enables searching on records of a particular data format for management or resource discovery purposes and facilitates preservation and storage management. It also enables movement of records from one medium or location to another based on their particular data format, so that records of the same data format can be managed together, migrated at the same time, etc.

Obligation

Mandatory

Assigned Values

Value Name

Definition

ASCII text

Plain text (non-proprietary).

Audio Visual Interleave (AVI)

Microsoft proprietary audiovisual file format.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

A format for marking up and linking text.

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)

A graphics format.

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)

A compound format which enables the embedding of documents of various data formats into an email message.

Portable Document Format (PDF)

Adobe image format, often used for imaging text.

Real Audio (RA)

An audio format.

EXtensible Markup Language (XML)

A format which describes document structure.

[other]

Other agency defined value.

Related Elements

M61 Media Format

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

XML 1.0

Comments

NB: This element is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in a VEO. It has been retain in order to maintain compatibility with NAA Recordkeeping metadata and may be used by agencies if required.

This sub-element has many possible values. The above assigned values are only meant to provide representative samples.

Agencies may choose to include version information as part of their Assigned Values for this sub-element.

XML Element Name

Naa:Medium

Definition

The physical ‘carrier’ on which a record is stored, including, if required, the physical size and/or capacity of the carrier to hold or store information.

Purpose

This element keeps track of how and where a record is stored and provides information about the capacity or physical size limitations of a storage medium. It enables forward planning for preservation actions such as the refreshing of records from one medium to another and facilitates the development of effective strategies for the continued storage and preservation of records. It enables the informed selection of a storage medium for large or small numbers of records, records with large file sizes, or records which are frequently accessed.

Well-managed storage and preservation operations facilitate the efficient location and retrieval of records and ensure continued access to valuable records over time.

Obligation

Mandatory

Assigned Values

Value Name

Definition

CD-R

Recordable Compact Disc – an optical storage medium which can be written to once only.

DAT

Digital Audio Tape – a digital magnetic tape medium with up to 24 gigabytes of storage capacity.

DVD

Digital Versatile Disk – a CD-ROM format with a maximum 17 gigabytes of storage capacity, intended to have full read/write capabilities.

Floppy disk

A removable magnetic computer disk, with limited storage capacity (generally 1.44 megabytes).

Hard disk

A fixed computer disk with several gigabytes of storage capacity.

JAZ drive

A removable disk drive with up to 1 gigabyte of storage capacity.

Microfilm

A film in roll form (16 or 35mm in width) which is used for storing reduced-size images of text and graphics.

Paper

-

Videotape

Magnetic tape for storing moving pictures and sound.

WORM

Write Once Read Many – an optical disk drive with up to 1 terabyte of storage capacity which, once written to, becomes read-only.

ZIP drive

A removable, portable disk drive with 100 megabytes of storage capacity.

[other]

Other agency defined value.

Related Elements

M76 Preservation History

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

A default value shall be able to be set by an agency which reflects its own records storage policy.

Comments

NB: This element is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in a VEO. It has been retain in order to maintain compatibility with NAA Recordkeeping metadata and may be used by agencies if required.

While an object shall only be stored as ‘the record’ in one place, it may have defined relationships with more than one file, and it may be copied to another medium for backup purposes.

It is recommended that this sub-element be used in conjunction with element M76 PRESERVATION HISTORY, sub-element M79 Action Type, Assigned Values ‘Backed Up’, ‘Medium Refreshed’, ‘Microfilmed’, ‘Migrated (Platform)’ or ‘Moved Offline’.

The use of any of the above listed Action Types should result in the old Medium details being copied to sub-element M80 Action Description and the new details being written to this sub-element.

Further assigned values for Medium may be added to meet agency requirements, both now and over time as new storage media and new storage media formats emerge.

XML Element Name

naa:Extent

Definition

The physical size and/or capacity of the record.

Purpose

This element provides information about the size of the record and the amount of storage space (either physical or electronic) that it requires and enables the informed selection of a storage medium for large or small numbers of records, records with large file sizes, or records which are frequently accessed.

Obligation

Optional

Related Elements

M62 Data Format
M76 Preservation History

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

Yes

Default Value

–

Comments

NB: This element is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in a VEO. It has been retain in order to maintain compatibility with NAA Recordkeeping metadata.

If used, this sub-element should be linked to sub-element M62 Data Format and updated as necessary whenever records are migrated to new formats. The old values for this sub-element should be copied, along with the old Data Format values, to element M76 PRESERVATION HISTORY, sub-element M80 Action Description.

XML Element Name

naa:RecordIdentifier

Definition

A unique identifier for the record(s).

Purpose

This element enables unique identification of the record(s) in the current domain regardless of the level of aggregation. It acts as an access point to more information about the record(s).

The identifier is an essential element which not only uniquely identifies the record(s), but also provides the ‘key’ to all other (currently) accessible) information about the record(s).

Obligation

Mandatory

Related Elements

M54 Date
M66 Management History
M71 Use History
M76 Preservation History
M99 VEO Identifier

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

Should be derived from the same source as M99 VEO IDENTIFIER.

Comments

NB: This element is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in a VEO. It has been retain in order to maintain compatibility with NAA Recordkeeping metadata and may be used by agencies if required.

There shall be links between this element and all elements used to document the history of actions taken on a record (ie elements M54 DATE, M66 MANAGEMENT HISTORY, M71 USE HISTORY and M76 PRESERVATION HISTORY).

Agencies which use extensive copy numbering for distribution or dissemination purposes, and which need to track individually copy-numbered material, should use this element to indicate the copy number of the record (in the form ‘Copy No. x of y’). The copy number will denote a legitimate and accounted-for copy of the record (ie it will be treated as a record in its own right).

This element allows for a layered approach to identifying the record(s). An item will have an identifier which uniquely identifies it from all other items in the system. When the item is associated with a file, it ‘inherits’ the file ID as part of its unique identifier. Likewise, when the file is associated with a series, it (and the items associated with the file) will inherit these additional identifiers which will enable both items and files to be uniquely identified outside the original agency domain. This same layered approach will work with identifiers which are sub-elements of other elements.

Note that some care will need to be taken with regards to ‘layering’ because there can be more than one unique identifier – ie different unique identifiers may be assigned to the same unit of description, with each one serving a very different purpose. For example, a file may have a unique control symbol which reflects the sequence in which it was created, but it may also have a barcode number which is used to manage certain actions such as transfers to different storage locations.

The value for this element may be the same as that of M99 VEO IDENTIFIER.

XML Element Name

naa:ManagementHistory

Definition

The dates and descriptions of all records management actions performed on a record from its registration into a recordkeeping system until its disposal.

Purpose

This element acts as a cumulative control record of all movements and management actions which are carried out on a single record over time. It provides a historical log of the records management and control actions performed on a record.

Obligation

Mandatory

Sub-Elements

M67 Management Event (C)

Related Elements

–

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

–

Comments

NB: An additional non NAA sub-container M67 Management Event has been added to this element to allow for the better XML implementation of the NAA recordkeeping metadata within VERS. This adds an additional level to the two level structure of the NAA recordkeeping metadata.

Only recordkeeping and auditing staff should have full access to this element.

The element M66 MANAGEMENT HISTORY can form a record in its own right and requires permanent retention as a control record.

XML Element Name

vers:ManagementEvent

Definition

A management event in the life of the record. The management history of a record is made up of a sequence of Management Events, each of which contains an Event Date/Time, an Event Type, and an Event Description.

Purpose

This element provides a container for the description of a single event.

Obligation

Mandatory

Sub-Elements

M68 Event Date/Time
M69 Event Type
M70 Event Description

Related Elements

M12 Agent
M65 Record Identifier
M99 VEO Identifier

NAA Metadata

No

Repeatable

Yes

Default Value

–

Comments

This container has been added to allow for the better XML implementation of the NAA recordkeeping metadata within VERS. This adds an additional level to the two level structure of the NAA recordkeeping metadata.

This element should be used each time a records management action is performed on a record.

This element shall be used in conjunction with element M12 AGENT to document the agent responsible for performing or authorising the action (see Comments under M70 Event Description for information on linking to/capturing agent details).

This element shall be linked to element M65 RECORD IDENTIFIER and M99 VEO IDENTIFIER to identify the record on which the actions are being performed.

XML Element Name

naa:EventDateTime

Definition

The date and time at which a defined management event occurs.

Purpose

This element provides system validation of management actions carried out on records. It may act to restrict or facilitate access to records based on dates pertaining to particular management actions.

Obligation

Mandatory

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

The system date/time at the time the event occurs. The registration date and time should be obtained from a source that cannot be modified by the creator.

Comments

The time should be specified to (at least) the minute, and be expressed as GMT to ensure consistency. The International Standard, ISO 8601 – Standard for Date Encoding, shall be used to express the value of this element.

XML Element Name

naa:EventType

Definition

An event which relates to the management or control of a record to provide a finite (but extensible) set of defined management events which can be used to describe the management of the record over time.

Purpose

This element provides a finite (but extensible) set of defined management events which can be used to describe the management of the record over time.

Obligation

Mandatory

Assigned Values

Value Name

Definition

Access Examined

Record examined to identify any exempt material it may contain (not generally carried out by an agency).

Appraised

Record examined to assess value, and to determine where and for how long it should be kept.

Audited

Record scrutinised by an authorised internal or external auditor to check agency compliance with various recordkeeping mandates, such as legislation and standards.

Caveat Changed

Caveat is changed, added to or removed from a record. Use of this value shall result in sub-element M26 Caveat being updated.

Classification Up/Downgraded

Classification of a record is upgraded or downgraded (including declassification). Use of this value shall result in sub-element M25 Security Classification being updated.

Codeword Changed

Codeword is changed, added to or removed from a record. Use of this value shall result in sub-element M27 Codeword being updated.

Custody Transferred

Record is placed under management by another organisation and transferred to a new storage location. Use of this value shall result in the sub-elements under element M83 LOCATION (if used) being updated.

Declassified

Classification of a record is removed (ie the record becomes ‘unclassified’).

Destroyed

Record is deleted from the system (but some of the record’s metadata will be retained).

Distributed

Refers to copies of a single record being distributed (sent) to multiple recipients, using the mechanism of formal distribution lists.

Document Authored

The content of a document which is a record, or which is part of a record, is written/compiled by the Agent Type ‘Document Author’. As a record can be comprised of more than one document, this Assigned Value is repeatable for any given record.

File Closed

All activities and transactions documented by a particular file have ceased, and no further items are to be associated with that file.

Location Changed

Record is moved to another location/office (either local or remote) within the agency. Different from ‘Custody Transferred’, in that the agency retains management control of the record. Use of this value shall result in the sub-elements under element M83 LOCATION (if used) being updated.

Published

Record is formally published – eg on the agency’s website. If sub-element M29 Access Status is used, this action should only occur if the Access Status is set to ‘May be Published’.

Related

Record is related in some way to another record or to an information resource (this event will be triggered each time element M42 RELATION is used).

Released under FOI

Record is released to an individual or party as the result of a request under FOI.

Released with Limitations

Record is released to a limited (agency-defined) audience only; or only limited parts, sections or contents of records are released.

RI Changed

Releasability Indicator is changed, added to, or removed from a record. Use of this value shall result in sub-element M28 Releasability Indicator being updated.

Sentenced

Application of the relevant disposal action to a record identified as belonging to a particular Disposal Class. Use of this value shall result in sub-element M90 Sentence being updated, and the date in sub-element M91 Disposal Action Due being calculated.

Sentence Changed

The disposal action for a record is changed because the disposal authority changes, the record is identified as belonging to a different Disposal Class, or the record becomes the subject of a discovery order or disposal freeze. Use of this value shall result in sub-element M90 Sentence being updated, and the date in sub-element M91 Disposal Action Due being recalculated.

Top Numbered

The previous control number of a record is cancelled and a new one assigned, in order to incorporate an older record into a current recordkeeping system. Use of this value shall result in another identifier being assigned to the record under element M65 RECORD IDENTIFIER.

Related Elements

M24 Rights Management
M42 Relation
M54 Date
M65 Record Identifier
M83 Location
M88 Disposal

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

–

Comments

The following events are not to be used as Assigned Values in this element:

‘File Opened’ – this equates to Record Creation (ie the creation of a record whose unit of description is a file) and is covered by element M54 DATE, sub-element M55 Date/Time Created.

‘Received’ (an item from an external entity is received) – this equates to Record Creation and Registration (ie for the purposes of the agency, the record is not created until it is received/registered into the recordkeeping system) and is covered by element M54 DATE, sub-elements M55 Date/Time Created and M57 Date/Time Registered.

‘Sent’ (a copy of a record is forwarded to an external entity) – not necessary, because the ‘sending’ of a record results in the creation of another record.

Each time a particular event occurs, it will change the current values displayed in one or more other sub-elements (the specific details of this are listed as part of the description for each event and cross-referenced to the relevant elements/sub-elements). Details of the old values shall be entered under sub-element M70 Event Description.

XML Element Name

naa:EventDescription

Definition

The specific details of the event, including information about the original status, the changes made to it, the reasons for the changes, and authorisation for the changes.

Purpose

This element ensures the visibility and auditability of agency records management decisions and actions. It ensures accountability for agency recordkeeping.

Obligation

Mandatory

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

–

Comments

The old value of the particular record status being changed by the event shall be recorded in this sub-element.

It is strongly recommended that this information be structured in some way, rather than being entered as free text. Use of templates will enable the information to be entered in a structured way, as well as allowing certain pieces of information to be automatically generated by the system rather than manually entered by the agent – eg required information about the agent could be automatically assigned to the template.

Information about the agent performing the action shall be associated with the event itself. A decision will need to be made by individual agencies as to whether this association is implemented through links to separately held agent information, or whether agent information is automatically captured through the use of templates and stored as part of the Event Description.

XML Element Name

naa:UseHistory

Definition

The dates and descriptions of both legal and illegal attempts to access and use a record, from the time of its registration into a recordkeeping system until its disposal.

Purpose

This element acts as a cumulative audit trail of all significant (agency-defined) accesses to and uses made of the record over time. It provides contextual information about the ways in which the record is or was used and a mechanism by which recordkeeping system security can be monitored.

Obligation

Optional

Contains

M72 Use (C)

Related Elements

–

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Comments

NB: An additional non NAA sub-container M72 Use has been added to this element to allow for the better XML implementation of the NAA recordkeeping metadata within VERS. This adds an additional level to the two level structure of the NAA recordkeeping metadata.

All agencies have a responsibility to ensure that their records are adequately protected from unauthorised or illegal access and use. This element provides, in conjunction with other physical, personnel and system access controls, a means of ensuring ongoing record and recordkeeping system security.

If used, only recordkeeping, systems administration and auditing staff should have full access to this element. Other staff, including action officers, should be given limited (viewing and searching) access to this element.

As an ‘audit trail’, this element may form a record in its own right. The level of auditing and retention periods for the resulting logs are left up to individual agencies. Agencies shall make decisions regarding these matters according to their business requirements and based on an assessment of the risks, costs and benefits involved in keeping or not keeping detailed logs for long periods of time.

XML Element Name

naa:Use

Definition

A usage event in the life of the record. The use history of a record is made up of a sequence of Use Events, each of which contains an Use Date/Time, an Use Type, and an Use Description.

Purpose

This element provides a container for the description of a single event.

Obligation

Mandatory

Contains

M73 Use Date/Time (M)
M74 Use Type (M)
M75 Use Description (M)

Related Elements

M12 Agent
M65 Record Identifier
M99 VEO Identifier

NAA Metadata

No

Repeatable

Yes

Comments

NB: This sub-container has been added to allow for the better XML implementation of the NAA recordkeeping metadata within VERS. This adds an additional level to the two level structure of the NAA recordkeeping metadata.

Use each time the record is used or accessed in a way an agency has defined (and documented) as ‘significant’.

This element should be used in conjunction with element M12 AGENT to document the agent responsible for making use of the record (see Comments under M75 Use Description for information on linking to/capturing agent details).

This element should be linked to element M65 RECORD IDENTIFIER and M99 VEO IDENTIFIER to identify the record which is being accessed or used.

XML Element Name

naa:UseDateTime

Definition

The date and time at which a defined use of or access to a record occurs.

Purpose

This element provides a timestamp when records are accessed and used.

The dates and times at which a record was accessed or used may be essential information in a case of illegal access or record tampering.

Obligation

Mandatory

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

The system shall assign the date/time of the event when the corresponding event described under sub-element M74 Use Type takes place – ie the event itself is the trigger for the date/time to be generated by the system. The registration date and time should be obtained from a source that cannot be modified by the creator.

Comments

The time should be specified to (at least) the minute, and be expressed as GMT to ensure consistency. The International Standard, ISO 8601 – Standard for Date Encoding, shall be used to express the value of this element.

XML Element Name

vers:UseType

Definition

An event which relates to access to or use made of a record.

Purpose

This element provides a finite (but extensible) set of defined access and use events which can be used to describe and audit the use of the record over time.

Obligation

Mandatory

Assigned Values

Value Name

Definition

Listed

Information (metadata) about this record was listed in a search result sent to a user.

Metadata Accessed

The metadata associated with the record was sent to the user, but not the content.

Content Accessed

The content associated with this record was sent to the user.

Illegally Accessed

An unsuccessful attempt to move, modify or delete a record without assigned system authority or other form of authorisation.

Booked

This value should not generated by a VERS Record Keeping System as VEOs cannot be modified.

A copy made of the record through official recordkeeping system mechanisms is provided to a user so that s/he can work on it. Other users can view the record in the recordkeeping system but cannot copy it until the original user returns the ‘booked’ copy to the recordkeeping system. Use of this value may result in sub-element M84 Current Location being updated.

Copied

This value would not normally be generated by a VERS Record Keeping System as an electronic systems cannot, in general, detect the difference between copying, downloading, screen dumping or viewing.

Some or all of the content of a record is selected and pasted to another document.

Downloaded

This value would not normally be generated by a VERS Record Keeping System as an electronic systems cannot, in general, detect the difference between copying, downloading, screen dumping or viewing. Transfer of a copy of all or part of a record from the recordkeeping system to a user’s network drive, local hard drive or a peripheral device such as a floppy disk drive.

Screen Dumped

This value would not normally be generated by a VERS Record Keeping System as an electronic systems cannot, in general, detect the difference between copying, downloading, screen dumping or viewing. A printout is taken of the current screen’s contents.

Viewed

This value would not normally be generated by a VERS Record Keeping System as an electronic systems cannot, in general, detect the difference between copying, downloading, screen dumping or viewing. The record is opened but no other action is performed.

Security Breached

A successful attempt by a user to access a classified or sensitive record that s/he is not cleared to see.

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

–

Comments

The extent to which an agency implements the auditing of these and other events is a risk-based business decision – eg an agency may choose to implement limited or no auditing of the action ‘Listed’ because it is such a frequent event, or because the agency’s records are not classified or sensitive in any way.

XML Element Name

naa:UseDescription

Definition

Details of the event, such as information about where the record was downloaded to, the name and location of the document record contents were copied to, and the specific nature of any illegal action or security breach.

Purpose

This element enables auditing of accesses to and uses made of agency records and ensures accountability for agency recordkeeping.

Obligation

Optional

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Default Value

–

Comments

Some events, such as ‘Viewed’, may not require any extra level of description.

Information about the agent making use of the record shall be associated with the use itself. A decision will need to be made by individual agencies as to whether this association is implemented through links to separately held agent information, or whether the agent information is automatically captured into the Use Description.

XML Element Name

naa:PreservationHistory

Definition

The dates and descriptions of all actions performed on a record after its registration into a recordkeeping system which ensure that the record remains readable (renderable) and accessible for as long as it has value to the agency or department, and to the community at large.

Purpose

This element acts as a tool for preservation management and provides a history of all preservation actions carried out on a single record over time. It provides evidence that an agency took all due care to keep its records of value both readable and accessible.

Obligation

Optional

Contains

M77 Action (C)

Related Elements

–

NAA Metadata

Yes

Repeatable

No

Comments

NB: An additional non NAA sub-container M77 Action has been added to this element to allow for the better XML implementation of the NAA recordkeeping metadata within VERS. This adds an additional level to the two level structure of the NAA recordkeeping metadata.

This element should only be used to record significant preservation events, not day-to-day activity.

XML Element Name

vers:Action

Definition

A preservation event in the life of the record. The preservation history of a record is made up of a sequence of Preservation Events, each of which contains an Event Date/Time, an Event Type, and an Event Description.

Purpose

This element provides a container for the description of a single event.

Obligation

Mandatory

Contains

M78 Action Date/Time (M)
M79 Action Type (M)
M80 Action Description (M)
M81 Next Action (M)
M82 Next Action Due (M)

Related Elements

M12 Agent
M60 Format
M65 Record Identifier
M83 Location
M99 VEO Identifier

NAA Metadata

No

Repeatable

Yes

Comments

If used, this element should be used in conjunction with element M60 FORMAT, which provides information on which preservation strategies should be based. It may also be used in conjunction with element M83 LOCATION, if that element is used.

Use each time a preservation action is performed on a record – eg add information to this element whenever a record is migrated from one format to another or moved to a new medium. The current details about the format and medium of the record shall always be recorded in element M60 FORMAT, sub-elements