Understanding Digital Records Preservation Initiatives. / Series: Digital Preservation in Lower Resource Environments: A Core Curriculum

This module is part of the International Council on Archives "Digital Preservation in Lower Resource Environments: A Core Curriculum" series.

Understanding Digital Records Preservation Initiatives is designed to support records professionals working in lower resource countries in a range of organisational types, including public, private and academic organisations. It provides information needed to develop strategies and take practical steps to protect the integrity of digital records through time, as well as to discuss the issues involved with key stakeholders. The module is also designed to support records professionals in engaging with the emerging themes of transparency, openness and accountability, such as Open Data, Open Government and Access to Information, that are of growing interest to governments and to bilateral and multilateral development agencies around the world.

Content and Structure of the Module

• Lesson 1: Concepts and terminology: What is digital preservation, what factors influence the preservation of the integrity of digital records over the long-term, and what are the implications for organisations of not preserving digital records properly?
• Lesson 2: Digital preservation initiatives: What is their importance and relevance, and how can international initiatives contribute to national and regional initiatives?
• Lesson 3: What to do next? Based on the contributions being made by international initiatives, what practical strategies can organisations employ to begin addressing the complex challenges of managing the integrity of digital records that need to be retained and preserved over the long term?
• Lesson 4: Communicating the message and securing support: What should the messages to key stakeholders look like and how should they be delivered?