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Dates

Section

Add new date by clicking the “Add Date” button.

Label

Label is set to Creation by default.

Expression

Expression is used only for dates or date spans spelled out in full year/month (and in rare cases day) form, e.g. 2009 September-2010 February, or 1980s, or if using “circa” to indicate uncertainty about dates, e.g. circa 2000-2010. This field is not used if the single date or date range is a simple YYYY or YYYY-YYYY format. If two dates exist for a collection separate with a comma or semi-colon and then fill in the inclusive dates - example 1965; 2009.

         Examples

may be formatted differently depending on where they are used. In all cases, years should be expressed with 4 digits unless part of a proper title. For more guidance 

Table of Contents

Formatting for Narrative Fields

Dates in narrative text (i.e., notes) follow a month, day, then year format. When citing year ranges, do not use dashes and include all digits. Examples follow:

  • October 12 (not October 12th)
  • October 12, 1952  (when used in narrative the year should be followed by a comma)
  • September 1990 (no comma)
  • 1980s (no apostrophe)
  • 1872 to 1888 (not 1872 to 88)
  • from 1940 to 1960
  • between 1980 and 1990
  • The 21st century; 21st-century technology

Formatting for Collection Level Description and Component Lists

Normalized Dates

In normalized fields, all dates should be entered in the ISO 8601 Standard, as follows:

  • general-to-specific approach — the year first, followed by month, then day
  • each element is separated by a hyphen ("-")
  • Numbers less than 10 are preceded by a leading zero
  • YYYY or YYYY-MM  or YYYY-MM-DD 

Date Expressions

If date is approximate, includes months and days, and/or includes significant gaps in date ranges a date expression should also be entered. Dates are still formatted as year - month  - day, however the month should be written out. Do not repeat years or months in expressions of date ranges. Semesters may also be referenced in the date expression.

  • 2014 July 12-14
  • 2007 August 12 - October 31
  • 2009 April 5 - 2010 May 1
  • 2016 September
  • 2015 Fall

Note any significant gaps in date ranges. Separate single dates or ranges with a comma.

  • 1903, 1950-1955
  • 1965, 2009

For approximate dates, add qualifiers.

1903, 1950-1955

  • circa 1952-1978
  • circa 1975 August
  • 1892 or 1893
  • before 1920
  • after 1920
  • 2015 Fall
  • 2009 April 5 - 2010 May 1
  •            For undated material:

      • Use sparingly. Use circa to estimate the date range, if the creation date is truly unknown use "undated", do not use n.d.
    • 1980s

    If a date is not able to be determined, use "undated."

    Using the Date Module

    Add new date to a collection, series, file, or item by clicking the “Add Date” button.

      
    LabelLabel is set to "Creation" by default. The label specifies the type of date being entered (e.g., date published). Choose as appropriate.
    Anchor
    date-expression
    date-expression
    Date Expression

    Expression is an open text field to enter a natural language expression of the date. It is used when date is unable to be determined, approximate, includes significant gaps in date ranges, and/or includes months.

    Type

    Choose the type of date to be entered:

    Type

    Choose the appropriate option from the drop down menu.

    OptionWhen Used
    Bulk DatesRarely used at file level.
    Creation dates
    Date range is applicable to
    the majority of
    the majority of materials in the description level,
     excluding any  outliers
     excluding any outliers on either end.
    Inclusive Dates
    Creation dates applicable to all materials in the accession, including
    Date range is applicable to all materials in the unit being described, including outliers on either end.
    SingleUse if there is only one
    creation
    date for all materials in the unit described.
    Begin

    Normalized date field. Numerical value of earliest (or only) creation date in the accession in ISO 8601 Standard Formatting: YYYY, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD

    format

    .

    Expand
    titleExamples
    • 2018-01-01 (in expression field: 2018 January 1)

    • 1975-05

    • 1998

    EndNormalized date field. Numerical value of
    latest
    last creation date (if applicable) in the accession in ISO 8601 Standard Formatting: YYYY, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD
    format
    .
    CertaintyChoose
    “Approximate” from the drop down menu if
    "Approximate" if the dates are estimated or uncertain for any reason.

               Example

    approximately 1925
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    Content Reference

    DACS 2.4