You can create and edit terms in the Authority files. To open a term, or to create a new term, click into an Authority controlled field, and click the Open Related Authority File button on the Tool Bar.

Besides the major datafiles in Vernon CMS, there are many other authority files such as Classification, Acquisition Source, Deaccession Reason, Department etc. You can search through these using the Authority Search Window.

 

Types of Authority Files

1. Simple Authority files contain terms that have no relationships or linkages to any other terms.

2. Hierarchical Authority files are data files that have the ability to create linkages between terms so that concepts can be defined more precisely.

For example if Media/Materials was used as a simple authority:

Because it is a hierarchical authority, it could also look like this:

 

3. Complex authority files are fully functioning databases of Object, Person, Document, Photo/Audio-Visual, Event, Packing Unit, Site, and Activities. They use Authority files within their records.