Digital Preservation for Libraries, Archives, and Museums

A complete overview of digital preservation theory and practice for cultural institutions and professions.

The third edition of Digital Preservation for Libraries, Archives, and Museums is the most current, complete guide to digital preservation available today. The text has been both updated and revised, continuing to present complex topics thoroughly and accessibly. Important new content includes information on environmental sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

After laying out the problems and perspectives that inform digital preservation, the authors present a variety of solutions ranging from basic to complex. Addressing digital preservation in the broadest sense of the term, the text looks at all aspects of curating and preserving digital content for long-term access. Instead of focusing on specific materials in a particular system, it addresses a broad group of resources that could be housed in any number of digital preservation systems.

Part 1 provides an overview of digital preservation and helps students and new professionals get started. Part 2 focuses on management of the digital preservation environment, including managing technology and human resources. Financial, organizational, and environmental sustainability are important considerations. Part 3 turns to technology, which can be a source of concern for those new to the field. A thorough look at metadata, file formats, software, and emulation helps clarify preservation technology. Part 4 considers selecting content, preserving research data, and working with specialized content.

Students and professionals will both come away with a more robust understanding of digital preservation and the ability to plan more successful digital preservation initiatives.