The Good Digital Preservation Guide

Digital preservation is now widely acknowledged as an area that organizations must engage with.

For those living in networked societies the world has been digital for some years and there is a growing awareness of the need to plan for digital sustainability rather than expect that important material will naturally endure.

What remains un-clear is: who should be responsible for all this work; how should we pay for it; and, What should we try to preserve?

These and a number of other related issues will be addressed in this book.

The guiding principle of this book is that good preservation practice begins with effective policy and so it examines broadly strategic themes rather than technical solutions.

Put together by an international, cross-sectoral team of contributors, each authored chapter provides a snapshot of where we are now and what barriers need to be overcome.

They also provide several in-depth case studies which delve into their own experience to illustrate the essential concepts.

It includes key chapters such as: reappraising the digital archive; preservation in context; What is at stake?Roles and responsibilities; building effective partnerships; tools and processes; training and professional development; personal archiving; legal and ethical aspects of preservation; and, reflections on next steps.

This authoritative text is essential reading for information managers, librarians and archivists worldwide.

Others in the information and culture world such as museum curators, media professionals and web content providers, will also find it essential reading, as will students.