Preserving Digital Information: A How‐to‐do‐it Manual

Citation

Marshall, V. (2002), "Preserving Digital Information: A How‐to‐do‐it Manual", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 52-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2002.36.1.52.3

The intended audience for this US‐focused self‐help digital preservation manual is wide. It is the author’s intention to act as a guide to those taking their first steps in digital preservation as well as to those with experience taking their next steps. The author, Gregory Hunter, is an associate professor in the Palmer School of Library and Information Science, Long Island University.

The manual is divided into seven chapters, beginning with a useful overview of the issues librarians must face in coming to grips with digital preservation. The second chapter sets out a number of key definitions and technical details of various formats and media found today relating to the nature of digital information which the beginner will find easy to follow.

Chapter 3 sets out a summary of recent research carried out principally in US‐based institutions, which, again, the beginner will find helpful, as they provide a summary of the intellectual framework in which the archivist or records manager must take preservation decisions.

Chapter 4 sets out the decision paths in determining a response to meeting short‐ and medium‐term storage needs for digital records. There are useful summaries of the European Union (Données Lisibles par Machine or Machine‐readable data) Forum guidelines, and implementation of electronic strategies in Australia. Any one developing a strategy for their institution will find this helpful.

Currently institutional response to active management of e‐mail and Web pages is on the whole unstructured. Chapter 5 deals with the issues surrounding archiving and management of electronic mail and Web pages.

Chapter 6 covers digital imaging and the preservation of digital images. The author notes that digital imaging has an already extensive literature. Again, the beginner will find clear explanations of technical considerations and useful tips in deciding on in‐house or outsourcing production.

The final chapter, Preserving the Information System, reviews archival and preservation practice in the electronic era and the strategic considerations facing institutions engaged in maintaining access to digital assets over the longer term.

Overall this is a useful starting‐point, if the reader has little or no prior knowledge of digital issues, digitisation and electronic records management. It is biased towards the North American user, understandably. Anyone beyond the beginner stage will find the approach somewhat simplistic, at times to the point of annoyance. At the price it is hard to recommend purchase, given the availability of basic advice through a number of Web sites aimed at the librarian and archivist practitioner. The more advanced practitioner will already have found the reference materials listed.