Archival materials are "deaccessioned" if they are removed from a collection after it has been formally accessioned. Deaccessions can be destroyed, returned to the Donor, or transferred to another institution. Deaccessions are documented in ArchivesSpace in these ways:
In the Accession Record: Materials removed from a collection during processing can be deaccessioned using the Deaccessions field in the Accession Record. An Event Record is also completed from within the Accession Record.
In the Resource Record: Archival materials that are removed from an established, already-processed collection with a published finding aid are also Deaccessions. They are documented in the Resource Record's Deaccessions field (instead of the Accession Record). An Event Record is also completed from within the Resource Record.
Why Deaccession? In consultation with the curator, materials may be deaccessioned if they:
Deaccession decisions are made in alignment with collection development policies. For questions, check with the Processing Coordinator, your curator, or supervisor, before proceeding.
For further reading see the Society of American Archivists' Guidelines for Reappraisal and Deaccessioning.
Within the Accession Record or the Resource Record in ArchivesSpace:
Click the Add Deaccession button
Create an Event Record for each Deaccession
When deaccessioning in the Accession Record, click the "Add Event" button and choose Deaccessions.
When deaccessioning in the Resource Record, click the "Add Event" button and choose Deaccessions.
For both types, complete these fields in the Event Record: