PERSONAL DIGITAL ARCHIVING
Redwine, G. (2015). Personal Digital Archiving. (DPC Technology Watch Series No. DPC Technology Watch Report 15-01). Salisbury, UK: Charles Beagrie Ltd. Retrieved from http://www.dpconline.org/component/docman/doc_download/1460-twr15-01
From paper’s abstract: The report stresses the importance of preserving personal files, particularly as personal archives expand to include a combination of physical, digitized and born-digital materials. The problems and recommendations outlined in the report can aid individual creators and users of personal digital archives, as well as the curators who may be in a position to provide advice about what to keep and how to preserve it, in their efforts to preserve personal digital files for the long term.
RELATED TOPICS (ALPHABETICAL BY AUTHOR)
John, J. L., Rowlands, I., Williams, P., & Dean, K. (2010). Digital lives: Personal digital archives for the 21st century: An initial synthesis (A Digital Lives research paper). British Library. Retrieved from http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/files/digital-lives-synthesis01a.pdf
From the document: “The synthesis considers the curation of personal digital archives across the whole archival lifecycle” (p. iii).
Iraci, J. (2005). Remedies for deteriorated or damaged modern information carriers. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Conservation Institute (Technical Bulletin No. 27). Retrieved from http://cci-icc.gc.ca/resources-ressources/publications/downloads/technicalbulletins/eng/TB27-RemediesforDeterioratesorDamagedModernInformation.pdf
Modem information carriers encompass optical discs (CDs and DVDs) and magnetic media such as tapes (audio, video, computer) and disks. These carriers differ from traditional materials in that the information they contain cannot be viewed directly, it can only be accessed by playing the carriers on a machine. And for the carriers to play properly, they must be in relatively good condition. This Technical Bulletin discusses the myriad types of damage that can occur to modem information carriers due to age deterioration, poor storage conditions, or poor handling practices, and presents various remedies to restore these carriers to a playable condition.
Iraci, J. (2002). Disaster Recovery of Modern Information Carriers: Compact Discs, Magnetic Tapes and Magnetic Disks. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Conservation Institute (Technical Bulletin No. 25). Retrieved from: http://cci-icc.gc.ca/resources-ressources/publications/downloads/technicalbulletins/eng/TB25-DisasterRecoveryModern%20InformationCarriersCompactD.pdf
This bulletin summarizes some procedures for the disaster recovery of modern information carriers such as CDs, magnetic diskettes, and magnetic tapes following immersion in tap water, seawater, and dirty water. Procedures are also given for dealing with media that have hard-to-remove deposits on them or have been exposed to heat, dust/dirt, mould, and shock. These procedures are a compilation of information from the few case histories published, recommendations made by experts in the field, and research performed at the Canadian Conservation Institute. The information in this bulletin represents one piece of a comprehensive disaster plan; for disasters to be handled effectively, other key elements such as those dealing with disaster preparedness also need to be in place.
National Digital Information, & Infrastructure and Preservation Program. (2013). Perspectives on personal digital archiving. Washington, DC: Library of Congress. Retrieved from http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/documents/ebookpdf_march18.pdf
An edited volume of material containing a smorgasbord of good and accessible content. This in-depth guide covers a variety of PDA topics. It includes advice on everything from file formats and descriptive metadata to helping people plan for the digital legacy they will be leaving behind. Practical advice is interspersed with humorous anecdotes about PDA experiences. This is one of the most readable and relatable PDA guides out there. The first two sections can be read and enjoyed by anyone interested in PDA; the third section is, however, specific to PDA concerns in in libraries might might nonetheless be of broad interest due to the nature of the topic.
Pennock, M. (2013). Web-Archiving, DPC Technology Watch Series. (Salisbury, UK: Charles Beagrie Ltd., March 2013), (DPC Technology Watch Series No. DPC Technology Watch Report 13-01). Salisbury, UK: Charles Beagrie Ltd. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.7207/twr13-01
From paper’s abstract: This report is intended for those with an interest in, or responsibility for, setting up a web archive, particularly new practitioners or senior managers wishing to develop a holistic understanding of the issues and options available.
Prom, C. J. (2011). Preserving E-mail (DPC Technology Watch Series No. DPC Technology Watch Report 11-01). Salisbury, UK: Charles Beagrie Ltd. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.7207/twr11-01
From paper’s abstract: By implementing appropriate technical standards, new capture methods and emerging technologies, archivists, curators, records managers and other information professionals working in the cultural heritage sector can take practical steps to preserve email for its legal, administrative or historical value.
Strasser, C. (2015). Research Data Management: A Primer Publication of the National Information Standards Organization. NISO. Retrieved from http://www.niso.org/apps/group_public/download.php/15375/PrimerRDM-2015-0727.pdf
From paper’s introduction: This primer will cover the basics of research data management, with the goal of helping researchers and those that support them become better data stewards.
Thomson, S. D. (2016). Preserving social media (DPC Technology Watch Report 16-01 February 2016). Salisbury, UK: Charles Beagrie Ltd. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.7207/twr16-01
This downloadable report by Sara Day Thomson is another excellent resource from Charles Beagrie’s DPC [Digital Preservation Coalition] Technology Watch series. Written for information professionals but accessible to all, it includes considerations for using technology to retrieve content, ethics, and case studies as examples.
Truman, G. (2016). Web archiving environmental scan. (Harvard Library Report). Retrieved from https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/25658314
From paper’s executive summary: In this environmental scan, made possible by the generous support of the Arcadia Fund, we document web archiving programs from 23 institutions from around the world and report on researcher use of – and impediments to working with – web archives.
TECHNICAL REPORTS
Finch, L., Webster, J. (2008). Caring for CDs and DVDs. UK: National Preservation Office, British Library (Preservation in Practice Series). Retrieved from http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/stratpolprog/collectioncare/faqs/cddvd/caring_for_cds_dvds.pdf
This 18-page online booklet (PDF) addresses a number of detailed questions such as care of physical materials (including optimal conditions in terms of light, temperature, humidity, etc.), but also describes steps to take to counter concerns related to the obsolescence of the materials, including migration.
Whibley, S. (2016). WAV Format Preservation Assessment. British Library. Retrieved from http://wiki.dpconline.org/images/4/46/WAV_Assessment_v1.0.pdf
From paper’s introduction: This document provides a high level, non-collection specific assessment of the Waveform Audio File Format (WAV, WAVE) with regard to preservation risks and the practicalities of preserving data in this format.