Encoded Archival Description (EAD) is an XML-based standard for describing archival materials. This site is for people who are learning EAD or who simply need an easy-to-understand EAD reference. For more on why this site exists, why I created it when other EAD materials exist, and more, see the about page. For more about me personally, I have my own about page and personal site.

This version of the site describes the third edition of the EAD schema, EAD3. Please see my older site for EAD 2002.

Main Content

This site’s main content consists of of an inter-linked EAD tag library. Each EAD element can be found simply by typing in https://eadiva.com/elementname, such as https://eadiva.com/accessrestrict. The tags are listed alphabetically as well as by finding-aid structure and type. Each element’s page includes a description of the element and its use, a list of its attributes and their definitions/possible values, a list of its subelements, and an example or two.

Essentially, it is a plain-language, interlinked version of the official tag library. The intent of the original version was to break down the DTD-type format of element pages and attributes into something easier for laypersons to read and understand. The work of the team which created the official EAD3 tag library has made the project less necessary, though I hope still beneficial. The project was begun with archives students in mind, but the material may be useful as reference to those farther along in the profession as well.

Blog Content

The site’s blog provides information about updates to the site, tutorials on how to use things like Archivists’ Toolkit, etc. Posts about EAD 2002 are tagged as such.

If you have questions, comments, or critiques, feel free to contact me.