Being an Archivist in our Times - Trying to Manage Long-Term Digital Preservation

Abstract

Information technology offers the possibility to produce and archive more recorded information than ever before. Thus it is has become feasible to preserve and have access to information in almost unlimited amounts. In sharp contrast, the situation today suggests that societal data has become significantly less accessible than was previously the case. This is both ironic and tragic. In this paper, we recognize that the cultural heritage is at risk, given current circumstances as revealed through observation and dialogue with an archivist. While there are many projects, cultural heritage institutions, government agencies and private enterprises involved in an ambitious research agenda, the majority of these are focussed on technical solutions. In contrast, we provide an in-depth point of view of an archivist who is expected to preserve information in order to safeguard the long-term preservation of the cultural heritage. This report reveals the challenges as well as the systemic implications related to the full implementation of the Archival Information Systems guidelines, that fully involve archivists and users in systems design features and functionalities, in order to enable the advancement of long-term digital preservation.

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