OhioLINK has created and is hosting a statewide repository of archival finding aids to increase access to the rich collections housed in Ohio archival repositories. Additionally, OhioLINK has created a Finding Aid Creation Tool that allows contributing institutions to create valid EAD finding aids without knowing EAD tagging. Collectively, the Repository and encoding application are referred to as the OhioLINK EAD FACTORy.

The following guides are intended to introduce and explain the major concepts behind EAD creation, and provide detailed descriptions of the elements used in encoding finding aids for the OhioLINK EAD Repository.

OhioLINK EAD Starter Packet (pdf file)
The Task Force created this packet to help Ohio archival institutions prepare themselves and their finding aids for participating in the OhioLINK statewide repository of archival finding aids. It provides basic information about EAD and background on the OhioLINK EAD project.

Printable version of the OhioLINK EAD Content Guidelines (pdf file)
The complete Content Guidelines, including background on EAD and the OhioLINK project, issues to consider in EAD encoding, descriptions of EAD elements, and a sample finding aid. This is a technically detailed document.

Element Pages (Web pages)
Content standards for each EAD element that is utilized in the OhioLINK EAD FACTORy. Each page defines the element, notes whether or not the element is required or optional, and offers guidelines on its use in finding aids. These element pages are also accessible from within the Finding Aid Creation Tool, when the user clicks on the help icon for a given field.