Exploration of the motivation for and knowledge of preservation practices for personal digital artifacts

Abstract

Abstract Libraries and other cultural institutions are very aware of the crisis in digital preservation and are taking steps to preserve our collective cultural heritage. In contrast, most individual consumers are much less aware of the impermanent state of their digital possessions. As a result, valuable representations of personal memories intended for future generations will be lost through ignorance and/or benign neglect. This research will explore user behavior as it relates to the preservation of personal digital objects. We seek to understand: value and digital objects, what steps individuals are taking towards preservation, and how preservation decisions are informed. The theory of information source horizons will be used to examine the criteria for value and the relationship between the continuum of physical and digital artifacts. Qualitative research methods will be used to explore the behaviors, attitudes and beliefs of individuals regarding digital preservation. In the first phase of this research, 12 semi‐structured interviews will be conducted with Friends Groups' members of a large urban public library. Analysis of the interview transcripts will lead to insights into the affective and cognitive issues surrounding personal digital artifacts in their own right and in comparison to personal physical artifacts. Further, the analysis will provide insight regarding the contexts in which individuals value information and how that sense of value impacts both the organization of and preservation of personal information.

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