# administrative control

> in collections management, management of the holdings in a repository, including the documentation of related processes

**Wikidata**: [Q116856563](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116856563)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/administrative-control

## Summary
Administrative control is the aspect of collections management that focuses on managing the holdings of a repository and documenting the processes related to those holdings. It is a subclass of collections management and covers the administrative activities that govern how a repository’s items are managed and recorded.

## Key Facts
- Administrative control is a subclass of collections management.
- It pertains to management of the holdings in a repository.
- Administrative control includes the documentation of processes related to repository holdings.
- Collections management — the parent class — is the process of overseeing a collection, including acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning.
- Administrative control is recorded in archival terminology resources under the identifier "administrative-control" (Dictionary of Archives Terminology).
- The wikidata description for administrative control states: "in collections management, management of the holdings in a repository, including the documentation of related processes."

## FAQs
### Q: What does administrative control cover in a repository?
A: Administrative control covers the management of a repository’s holdings and the documentation of the processes used to manage those holdings.

### Q: How is administrative control related to collections management?
A: Administrative control is a subclass of collections management, meaning it is a specific component or function within the broader process of overseeing a collection.

### Q: Does administrative control include acquisition and deaccessioning?
A: Administrative control is part of collections management, and collections management as a whole includes activities such as acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning.

## Why It Matters
Administrative control is the administrative backbone of a repository’s collections. By focusing on the management of holdings and the documentation of related processes, administrative control ensures there is an accountable, recorded framework for how items are handled, tracked, and governed. Clear administrative control supports consistency in decision-making about items, enables reliable recordkeeping, and provides a documented basis for actions related to acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning under the wider umbrella of collections management. For repositories, consistent administrative control reduces ambiguity about responsibilities and procedures and creates a referenceable record of how holdings were managed over time. Because it is a defined subclass of collections management and appears in archival terminology resources, administrative control provides a standard conceptual element for professionals who design and evaluate repository practices.

## Notable For
- Being explicitly defined as a subclass of collections management.
- Emphasizing both the management of holdings and the documentation of related processes.
- Appearing in formal archival terminology (Dictionary of Archives Terminology identifier: administrative-control).
- Serving as the administrative component that links practical holdings management to documented procedures within collections management.

## Body
### Definition
- Administrative control is the management function within collections management focused on repository holdings.
- It includes the documentation of the processes used to manage those holdings.

### Relationship to Collections Management
- Administrative control is a subclass of collections management.
- Collections management is defined as the process of overseeing a collection, including acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning.
- Administrative control operates within that broader process to provide administrative oversight and records.

### Core Elements
- Management of holdings: the administrative activities that govern items in a repository.
- Documentation of processes: recording the procedures and actions related to managing holdings.

### Terminology and Reference
- The term is listed in archival terminology resources under the identifier "administrative-control."
- The wikidata description frames the term as: "in collections management, management of the holdings in a repository, including the documentation of related processes."

### Function and Scope
- Administrative control addresses how holdings are managed administratively.
- It focuses on creating documented procedures and records tied to holdings management.
- It is situated within the wider scope of collections management activities such as acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning.