ALCTS PARS Reformatting Committee
Sunday, June 26, 2005
8:00-10:00 a.m.
Analog and Digital Preservation Technology
Apologies for the lateness and the brevity of this post. I was both late for this session and had to leave early—the very worst kind of guest. However, I determined that I still really wanted to blog it. I went for the brief time allotted in part because I’ve been to good PARS sessions in the past. Even more, I went because this was the only session at ALA that came up in the event planner on a keyword search for microfilm. My day job is as a newspapers and microform librarian.
This was held in one of the smaller conference rooms on the first floor of McCormick. Fairly well attended, i.e., someone in almost every third seat.
When I arrived, the first speaker, whose name I did not get, was discussing video preservation strategies. He mentioned film widths I’ve never even heard of.
The next speaker was Priscilla Caplan, Assistant Director for Digital Library Services, Florida Center for Library Automation. Her talk was on Digital Preservation & Trusted Repositories. She described preservation strategies, standards & frameworks, tools, and applications and initiatives for CRL certification.
Priscilla cited a Trusted Digital Repository (TDR) report from RLG/OCLC working group. [Must look up!]
Her main thrust was Trust But Verify!
Dean Michele Cloonan from Simmons College followed. I had to (reluctantly) leave during her talk.
Dean Cloonan spoke about we have to consider copyright issues with every single copy we make, any format, any reason. Fair uses is evolving—who wants to be the test case?
In digitization projects, there are always human, financial, and technical expertise needs. Social issues are key—mission, copyright, etc.
Analog preservation has been reactive—deterioration has prompted. However, digital preservation must be proactive—build it in.
An observation: “Vietnam is a country, not a war,†i.e., ongoing, never done. Build, create, constituency. Collaboration!
Time to dash, very unfortunately! I guess I missed whatever discussion there was of microfilm….