Digital Preservation: Needs in the RLG Community eLib Conference Information Ecologies: The Impact of New Information 'Species' York, 2-4 December 1998 Nancy Elkington, Research Libraries Group
Project Goals Develop and pre-test survey instrument Collect data on needs, accounting for: –diverse institutional types –wide-ranging needs –differing levels of expertise Use data to: –examine and evaluate existing models –recommend preferred archiving model(s) –develop guidelines in concert with others
Defining Project Focus Limited to data about “those materials for which your institution assumes responsibility for preservation” Include those institutions currently not addressing digital preservation
Summary of Results 54 surveys returned –9 European, 2 Canadian, 1 Australian –45 US 15 interviews completed Achieved broad representation Data analysis nearly complete
Data Gathered Digital materials preservation policy Digital holdings (take responsibility) Formats of holdings Methods of preservation Digital knowledge/training Future needs for services & training
Institutions Acquiring Materials in Selected Digital Formats
Institutions with Digital Preservation Policies
Formats Chosen for Archival Masters of Converted Materials
Preservation Methods
Preferred Methods of Increasing Staff Expertise
Recommendations (for RLG) Compile a concrete set of guidelines, standards, and best practices for digital preservation Provide leadership and coordination in emerging standards and practices for digital preservation
Recommendations (for institutions) Develop means to coordinate digital preservation activities within institutions Develop institutional policies for acquisition, conversion, storage, and maintenance of digital materials
Recommendations (for service providers) Develop trusted services and tools to support digital preservation in critical areas of need
Project Staff Margaret Hedstrom – Associate Professor, School of Information, University of Michigan Sheon Montgomery – Graduate Student Research Assistant, School of Information, University of Michigan Robin Dale – RLG Program Officer
Web Address for Report (forthcoming) Executive Summary in RLG DigiNews (December 15 issue)
Status of Survey Project Survey to all RLG members (April-Aug '98) Interviews (May-June '98) Analysis (Sept-Nov '98) Dissemination (late Dec '98) Pursue recommendations (Jan-Jun '99)
Digital Preservation Needs Assessment Result of recommendation by the RLG Preservation Working Group on Digital Archiving (May 1996) #1 Recommendation: “Develop a survey instrument to gather and analyze data about needed services.”
Age of Oldest Digital Holdings
Number of Different Digital Formats Held
Desired Consortial Services