Digital Preservation Working Group

Purpose: The Digital Preservation Working Group furnishes oversight and governance for the Libraries’ digital preservation policy and activities. The Working Group reviews, revises and implements the Libraries’ Digital Preservation Policy on a bi-annual basis with input from stakeholders. In addition, the Working Group aids efforts in the Libraries to steward digital content, evaluate new strategies and technologies, resolve issues and needs, and maintain documentation relating to digital preservation, in order to provide a consistent approach across the Libraries’ programs, units and projects. The work of the DP Working Group ensures that the Libraries, as stewards of significant digital content, achieve their mission of long-term access to knowledge in all formats.

The DP Working Group works collaboratively with Programs, Units, and Projects across the Libraries to ensure appropriate support for digital preservation needs/requirements.

To promote consistent understanding and skill development across the Libraries, the DP Working Group provides consulting and training on digital preservation concepts, tools and methods for Curators and Subject Specialists as well as other stakeholders or interested individuals.

The DP Working Group maintains documentation generated through digital stewardship activities, including Fixity records and audits, storage locations, collection profiles, etc.

The Digital Preservation Working Group is the library’s conduit for:

• Achieving the Libraries’ mission by ensuring the long term access to knowledge in digital formats
• Developing a unified approach to the creation/acquisition/storage/and delivery of digital content
• Promoting digital preservation both internally and externally through advocacy, professional affiliations and community service.

Working Group Leader: Scott Kirycki
Cabinet Sponsor: N/A
Decision making scope:
The DP Working Group determines essential memberships for the provision of digital preservation services consistent with the Libraries’ needs.

The DP Working Group works with the Digital Collections Oversight Working Group (DCOWG) as part of the digitization request workflow to evaluate the resources required for the long-term sustainability of a digital object.

The DP Working Group works with Library IT to select/create appropriate hardware/infrastructure for long term preservation; develop automated processes to streamline workflows and to provide necessary replication, storage, and access.

The DP Working Group develops and implements digital preservation workflows in collaboration with those previously compiled by the Digital Collections Workflow (DCW) working group.

The DP Working Group reviews and manages the documentation of digital preservation activities; and participates in the determination of actions appropriate to ensure authenticity and continued access.

Time Frame: The Digital Preservation Working Group is a standing working group that acts as a governance body for the Libraries’ Digital Preservation activities. Additional stakeholders and/or consultants may be added as necessary.

Members represent the specialized knowledge of their respective programs, units, and projects, but are asked to implement digital preservation policy and workflows that address the overall needs of the library. Representation is for two years. After the initial launch, term service will become staggered to ensure continuity and to accommodate requested changes in membership.

Core Working Group:
Scott Kirycki (Working Group Lead/Coordinator) (UA)
Aaron Bales (LAM)
Kate Blalack (LAM)
Erik Dix (UA)
Peggy Griesinger (CMS)
Amanda Gulley (RBSC)
Dan Johnson (NFCDS)
Jason Kauffman (UA)
Patrick Milhoan (UA)
Mark Suhovecky (LAM)

Consultants:
Monica Moore (RSSC), Copyright Working Group
Rachel Bohlmann (RBSC), Rare Books Curator

The DP Working Group may consult with additional colleagues with specialized knowledge and expertise.