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CLIR White Paper on the Preservation of Mass Digitized Content
September 15, 2007

A white paper has been issued by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), "Preservation in the Age of Large-Scale Digitization." Written by someone well-known and respected in digitization and preservation circles, Oya Rieger of Cornell University Library, the paper is an excellent overview of many relevant preservation issues related to the large-scale digitization initiatives (LSDIs) of Google, Microsoft, Open Content Alliance, and others.

"This paper starts with an overview of the prominent LSDIs and some of their key goals. It
continues with a framework within which to assess the preservation components of
digitization initiatives, including selection, content creation, and technical and
organizational infrastructure. The paper then highlights some of the primary implications
of the LSDIs with regard to print collections. It concludes with a set of recommendations
designed to further discussion and decision making on this important issue."

Not surprisingly, Rieger recommends that cultural institutions join forces to deal with the many issues relating to making sure this content stays around for a long time to come. Recommended reading for anyone interested in mass digitization and/or preservation. Public comment on the draft is solicited through October 5, 2007, with a final version scheduled for release later this fall.

Posted by Roy Tennant on September 15, 2007 | Comments (1)