Identifying Barriers to File Rendering in Bit-level Preservation Repositories: A Preliminary Approach

Kyle R Rimkus, Scott D Witmer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This paper seeks to advance digital preservation theory and practice by presenting an evidence-based model for identifying barriers to digital content rendering within a bit-level preservation repository. It details the results of an experiment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign library, where the authors procured a random sample of files from their institution’s digital preservation repository and tested their ability to open said files using software specified in local policies. This sampling regime furnished a preliminary portrait of local file rendering challenges, and thus preservation risk, grounded not in nominal preferences for one format’s characteristics over another, but in empirical evidence of what types of files present genuine barriers to staff and patron access. This research produced meaningful diagnostic data to inform file format policy making for the repository.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationiPRES 2016
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 13th International Conference on Digital Preservation
EditorsBarbara Signori, Steve Knight, Natasa Milic-Frayling
Place of PublicationBern
PublisherSwiss National Library
Pages121-128
StatePublished - Oct 6 2016
Event13th International Conference on Digital Preservation - Swiss National Library, Bern, Switzerland
Duration: Oct 3 2016Oct 6 2016
http://www.ipres2016.ch/ipr16.organizers-congress.org/index.html

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Digital Preservation
Abbreviated titleiPRES 2016
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityBern
Period10/3/1610/6/16
Internet address

Keywords

  • digital preservation
  • file format policy
  • random sampling

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