Curation and preservation

From Digipedia

OVERVIEW

As with physical artifacts, digital objects can be curated and presented in a range of settings that give meaning and context to different audiences. Online curation and Web 2.0 technologies also provide opportunities for audiences to contribute their knowledge, experience and interpretation in a way not readily captured in physical settings. For example users can add extra information to images or about documents that complement the work of the host institution staff.

In addition digital objects need to be preserved if they are to keep up with prevailing technology and as the rate of built-in obsolescence of software and hardware devices increases. At the same time the body of digital objects within an organisation is increasing, so a clear archiving and disposal policy needs to be in place, which allows for repeated appraisal of digital objects, their format and continued value to an institution or to the wider community. This article points to some of the help available in planning the creation, curation and preservation of digital assets.

What are the benefits of digital curation?

The act of digitising an object provides several benefits:

It acts as a record of the object
It can be used as a surrogate for the object and reduce handling for fragile materials
A digital surrogate can be presented in a variety of settings simultaneously
A digital surrogate's presence online can raise awareness of the physical object or of a collection

It is now understood that online visibility can increase in person visits to collections and institutions. The National Archives for examples have seen increase rather that a decrease in visitor numbers since more of its finding aids have been available online.

Preserving and archiving digital content

As noted above software and hardware devices alter with regularity and digital content may need to be preserved through copying if it is to remain accessible. In this process thought needs to be given to the look and feel of digital resources as well as to its content. Thus there may be a separation of content from presentation.

Help with digital curation and preservation

The Digital Curation Centre supports UK research, higher education and the wider community in their digital preservation needs. The DCC is made up of representatives from a number of universities and other centres of excellence with a range of subject expertise. The DCC has produced a Curation Manual, reviewed by a panel of international peers and provides information and advice via its website, publications, conferences and training.

The Collections Trust provides support primarily to the museums, archives and galleries domain and in association with the Institute of Conservation (ICON) and the National Preservation Office (NPO), its Collections Link service has information and advice about curating and preserving assets, whether digitised or born digital.

Further Information

Collections Link
Digital Curation Centre
Institute of Conservation (ICON)
National Preservation Office (NPO)
Gail M Hodge: Best practices for digital archiving; Dlib journal January 2000

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