Digital Archiving: Preserving Work, Saving Coin

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on digital archiving, focusing on preserving the arts and culture work of organizations in the online space. The insights shared by industry experts will help you understand the importance of digital preservation and equip you with resources to implement effective strategies while saving costs.

Step 1: Understand the Importance of Digital Preservation

• Recognize digital preservation as a way to capture and maintain the cultural and artistic work of your organization.
• Acknowledge the benefits:
  • Protects valuable content from loss due to technology changes or disasters.
  • Makes your collections accessible to broader audiences.
  • Supports the sustainability of your organization's mission.

Step 2: Assess Your Current Digital Assets

• Inventory your existing digital materials, including:
  • Physical collections (artworks, documents).
  • Virtual exhibitions (online galleries).
  • Live-streamed concerts (recordings and promotional materials).
• Evaluate the condition and format of each asset to determine preservation needs.

Step 3: Develop a Digital Preservation Strategy

• Create a plan that includes:
  • Goals for what to preserve and why.
  • Methods for digitizing physical assets.
  • Storage solutions (cloud storage, local servers).
• Consider the following tips:
  • Prioritize high-value and high-risk items for immediate action.
  • Ensure regular updates to the strategy as technology evolves.

Step 4: Implement Preservation Techniques

• Use best practices for digital preservation:
  • Choose appropriate formats for digital files (e.g., TIFF for images, WAV for audio).
  • Create metadata to describe and catalog your digital assets.
• Regularly back up your files in multiple locations to prevent data loss.

Step 5: Utilize Available Resources

• Explore tools and platforms that can assist with digital preservation:
  • Michigan Digital Preservation Network for guidance and support.
  • Open-source software for managing digital collections.
• Take advantage of free or low-cost training programs to enhance your skills in digital archiving.

Step 6: Engage Your Community

• Promote your digital collections and initiatives to your audience:
  • Use social media to share highlights of your preserved work.
  • Encourage community participation through feedback and contributions.
• Consider virtual events to showcase your archived collections and attract new audiences.

Conclusion

Digital archiving is crucial for preserving the arts and culture sector's legacy. By understanding its importance, assessing your assets, developing a strategy, implementing preservation techniques, utilizing resources, and engaging your community, you can effectively safeguard your organization's work for future generations. Start by taking small steps today to enhance your digital preservation efforts.