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1 – 10 of over 24000The purpose of this study is to investigate the concept of digital preservation and traditional preservation per se and discusses various issues related to long-term preservation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the concept of digital preservation and traditional preservation per se and discusses various issues related to long-term preservation in a digital environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study attempts to look into the various aspects of preservation in context of digital objects (borne or digitalized) especially. Bundling of an object (digital), digital storage, quality control and risk preparedness are some of the pointers studied to perceive an overall scenario for long-term preservation of an object.
Findings
Various methods have been suggested to deal with the issues related to long-term preservation of an object which can be used to frame an organization’s policy for long-term preservation.
Originality/value
The study emphasizes on collective measures incorporating traditional and digital means to ensure long-term preservation. It lists down various checklists to deal with various issues pertinent to long-term digital preservation.
Nick del Pozo, Andrew Stawowczyk Long and David Pearson
The aim of this paper is to assist both the National Library of Australia and other institutions to think about digital objects in ways that will help to identify which…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to assist both the National Library of Australia and other institutions to think about digital objects in ways that will help to identify which preservation actions are most appropriate for a particular circumstance. It seeks to examine the basic nature of digital objects and how users interact with those objects.
Design/methodology/approach
This article brings together and clarifies a number of key digital preservation theories. It proposes the concept of preservation intent: a clear articulation of a commitment to preserve an object, the specific elements of the object the should be preserved, and a clear time line for the duration of preservation. It investigates these concepts through simple and practical examples.
Findings
The paper presents what the authors believe are some of the essential ideas and thinking about digital preservation.
Practical implications
The paper will prove useful in clarifying some of the terminology and concepts to those who are in or are yet to be initiated into the “order”.
Originality/value
The paper brings together and clarifies some of the core ideas and theories in digital preservation, in order to better facilitate the minimisation of change in the digital objects stored by the National Library of Australia.
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Keywords
In this increasingly digital world, archivists have had to reconsider early definitions and measures of authenticity in order to ensure their applicability to the process of…
Abstract
Purpose
In this increasingly digital world, archivists have had to reconsider early definitions and measures of authenticity in order to ensure their applicability to the process of preserving digital records. This paper sets out to explore the complexities involved in defining and preserving the authenticity of digital files.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on literature from the field to present a comprehensive overview of traditional definitions of authenticity and highlight the shifting nature of those definitions in the digital age. The discussion begins with a look at traditional archival understandings of authenticity as they relate to physical objects. The paper goes on to examine these challenges and efforts and includes a look at the resource demands and technology tools currently used to evaluate digital authenticity. The paper conducted extensive research on the subject to compile source materials and draw conclusions.
Findings
This paper highlights the inherent challenge of establishing and maintaining pertinent criteria for authenticity when archivists are, for the most part, electing to reformat and effectively change digital records in order to ensure their long‐term preservation.
Practical implications
This paper includes practical implications for redefining, measuring, and preserving the authenticity of digital records.
Social implications
This paper has social implications in that it asserts a need to question the well‐established understanding of what it means to be authentic.
Originality/value
The paper brings together a range of information and presents a comprehensive yet succinct view of the issues involved in defining and preserving digital authenticity, not otherwise found in the literature serving the archive community.
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To report on initial work carried out on a Metadata Options Appraisal undertaken for the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in the context of plans to create and manage…
Abstract
Purpose
To report on initial work carried out on a Metadata Options Appraisal undertaken for the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in the context of plans to create and manage complex digital objects called Interpretive Journeys, PDA‐based multimedia guides to Park tours. Design/methodology/approach – After some initial work, a phased approach was adopted. In Phase I (reported here), metadata schema for managing structurally complex digital objects were researched to provide a range of appropriate options. Their characteristics were then matched against the Park's general requirements as determined through discussions with staff and an examination of relevant documentation. Findings – It was determined that the METS metadata schema met Park requirements for managing Interpretive Journeys at a general level and could be used both, to inform the development of the planned Digital Asset Management System (an early priority), and to act as the main basis of a framework for determining a detailed metadata solution for the Park. Research limitations/implications – Further work is required in Phase II to determine the detailed metadata requirement for the Park. Practical implications – A useful guide to dealing with a range of management and metadata issues associated with managing complex digital objects, and to managing projects where guidance on metadata requirements is needed before the objects to be described are available. Originality/value – This paper offers an introduction to the management and metadata issues raised by Interpretive Journeys and digital composites of similar complexity, and an indication of how METS addresses these at a general level.
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Marilyn Lutz and Curtis Meadow
To describe the evolution of a content management system at the University of Maine Library that would function as a universal, extensible metadata repository, thereby eliminating…
Abstract
Purpose
To describe the evolution of a content management system at the University of Maine Library that would function as a universal, extensible metadata repository, thereby eliminating the need to build separate databases for new digital collections, and facilitating both end‐user access and the management of electronic resources in an integrated technology environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Beginning with the development of a prototype system that mapped EAD encoded finding aids to a relational database, this paper discusses the evolution of this prototype into the design and implementation of a RDBMS (and continuing development of an object‐oriented database management systems (OODBMS) system) to actively manage digital objects and associated metadata. The key to the system design is metadata: extracting and mapping, transforming, and managing the processing of MARC‐based metadata into non‐MARC schemes to build digital collections. Other relevant CMS architecture issues discussed are the design of a functional bibliographic structure and utilities for metadata harvesting and indexing.
Findings
Provides information on the use of the Dublin Core Abstract Model and a flexible and adaptable collection‐centric approach in the overall CMS architecture as implemented on a non‐MARC RDBMS, and provides an explanation of the advantages of an object oriented database system over the complexity of evolving relational database tables.
Practical implications
A useful source for the development of an in‐house CMS, and a contribution to the growing body of literature about the transformation of MARC‐based metadata for database design.
Originality/value
This paper is a case study of actual work conducted at the University of Maine Library. The RDBMS manages digital collections; the OODBMS manages digital video and other multimedia resources.
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Maura Valentino and Brian Shults
This paper aims to describe a project conducted by the University of Oklahoma Libraries to create a digital collection consisting of three‐dimensional scientific objects.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe a project conducted by the University of Oklahoma Libraries to create a digital collection consisting of three‐dimensional scientific objects.
Design/methodology/approach
The University of Oklahoma Libraries developed the following methodology for creating a digital collection of three‐dimensional objects. Digital still photographs of six sides of each object where created. These photographs were then used to create videos that emphasized the most interesting feature on each side of the object. These videos were then imported into CONTENTdm using the picture cube feature to create the digital representation of the three‐dimensional object.
Findings
This method was found to be a good method for representing three‐dimensional objects in a two‐dimensional format for inclusion in a digital collection. However, some limitations were encountered. For example, only one interesting feature could be emphasized on each side of the object and the software used to create the digital videos, while easy to use, offered only limited features for enhancing the resulting videos.
Practical implications
This paper demonstrates a cost effective and resource efficient method of implementing a digital collection of three‐dimensional objects that could be further improved through the use of more advanced video creation software.
Originality/value
This paper offers insight into a new way of representing three‐dimensional objects in a digital library. This information will be useful to digital librarians faced with resource and cost constraints who have collections of three‐dimensional physical objects that would be of interest to their user community.
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The purpose of this study is to assess the use of digital collections created via the large-scale digitization of archival collections. The large-scale digitization method…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the use of digital collections created via the large-scale digitization of archival collections. The large-scale digitization method specifically examined is the reuse of archival description from finding aids to create digital collections that consist mainly of compound digital objects, equivalent to a folder of items, minimally described at the aggregate level. This paper compares Web analytics data for two large-scale digital collections and one digital collection with rich, item-level description.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzed one year of Web analytics for three digital collections. The main research question of this study is: Are digital collections of minimally described compound objects used less than digital collections of richly described single objects?
Findings
This study found that the large-scale digital collections analyzed received less use than the traditional item-level collection, when examined at the item level. At the object level, the large-scale collections did not always receive less use than the traditional item-level collection.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to three different digital collections from one institution. Web analytics also represent a limited interpretation of “use.”
Practical implications
This study presents a method for other institutions to assess their own large-scale digitization efforts and contributes to the profession’s understanding of the impact of large-scale digitization.
Originality/value
This paper is unique because it uses Web analytics to compare the use of large-scale digital collections to the use of traditional boutique digital collections.
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This paper re-examines the ontology of documents, especially digital ones, in the context of preservation, which presumes the actual existence of things. It also explores which…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper re-examines the ontology of documents, especially digital ones, in the context of preservation, which presumes the actual existence of things. It also explores which aspects of documents are retained or lost over the course of time.
Design/methodology/approach
This study detangles the complexities of existential dependence relations of documents, by selectively reviewing literature on digital preservation, document theory, John Searle's social ontology, Maurizio Ferraris' documentality, and Amie Thomasson's categorial ontology.
Findings
The author argues that (1) existing objects can be documents, insofar as perceivers regard them as such; (2) documents are social objects as they depend on other objects, including creators, perceivers, and other documents; and (3) preserving digital documents entails the curation of dependence relations since they inherently have technologically dependent relations.
Practical implications
A clarification of the existential dependence relations of documents can aid documentary heritage institutions in determining preservation goals and strategies. Future research must address how, and to what extent, such dependence relations can be curated.
Originality/value
This paper clarifies that the preservation of documents entails the curation of dependence relations, and the critical issue in preservation is how to best preserve the dependence relations of documents, especially since digital documents available on the Internet inherently have technological and dynamic dependence relations.
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Ayla Stein Kenfield, Liz Woolcott, Santi Thompson, Elizabeth Joan Kelly, Ali Shiri, Caroline Muglia, Kinza Masood, Joyce Chapman, Derrick Jefferson and Myrna E. Morales
The purpose of this paper is to present conceptual definitions for digital object use and reuse. Typically, assessment of digital repository content struggles to go beyond…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present conceptual definitions for digital object use and reuse. Typically, assessment of digital repository content struggles to go beyond traditional usage metrics such as clicks, views or downloads. This is problematic for galleries, libraries, archives, museums and repositories (GLAMR) practitioners because use assessment does not tell a nuanced story of how users engage with digital content and objects.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews prior research and literature aimed at defining use and reuse of digital content in GLAMR contexts and builds off of this group’s previous research to devise a new model for defining use and reuse called the use-reuse matrix.
Findings
This paper presents the use-reuse matrix, which visually represents eight categories and numerous examples of use and reuse. Additionally, the paper explores the concept of “permeability” and its bearing on the matrix. It concludes with the next steps for future research and application in the development of the Digital Content Reuse Assessment Framework Toolkit (D-CRAFT).
Practical implications
The authors developed this model and definitions to inform D-CRAFT, an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant project. This toolkit is being developed to help practitioners assess reuse at their own institutions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first to propose distinct definitions that describe and differentiate between digital object use and reuse in the context of assessing digital collections and data.
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Digitalization is one of the most important phenomena that characterize the last decade – not only in business-to-consumer markets but also in business-to-business as well. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Digitalization is one of the most important phenomena that characterize the last decade – not only in business-to-consumer markets but also in business-to-business as well. The advent of digital technologies has multiplied the number and type of touchpoints between actors, thus generating new spaces of interaction where cross-boundary movements are frequent and traverse physical and digital contexts. All these elements, in turn, produce a higher need for coordination in business relationships. By using the concept of boundary objects, the purpose of this paper is to understand the main functions of boundary objects to coordinate business relationships across digital and physical contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical research is based on two case studies where the role of boundary objects is particularly emphasized: Salesforce.com and 3DiTALY. 27 qualitative interviews with key referents have been carried out. To analyze data, the authors applied a constructionist perspective based on Carlile’s (2004) framework of transferring, translating and transforming knowledge across boundaries.
Findings
The study will identify six functions that boundary objects play in coordinating business relationships across physical and digital contexts. It will also show the relevance of a mental network space of shared understanding to enable changes in the relational network space.
Practical implications
This study makes concrete the abstract idea of boundary objects. Therefore, it sheds light on the opportunity of managing strategically boundary objects in order to improve their effectiveness in digital environments.
Originality/value
The study will contribute to IMP research on b-to-b relationships by showing that, in digital contexts, boundary objects are key to coordinate interaction in space and cross-boundary movements. The study will show that once considering a digital context, the traditional functions of boundary objects in terms of transfer, translation, and transformation can be further declined into sub-functions. The study will also provide important managerial implications on how boundary objects can be strategically used by companies to increase the effectiveness of their business relationships.
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