Preserving Digital Information: A How‐to‐Do‐It Manual

Citation

Pymm, B. (2001), "Preserving Digital Information: A How‐to‐Do‐It Manual", Online Information Review, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 66-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2001.25.1.66.3

Like many others in this growing series, this is a well‐presented, easy‐to‐read volume that is generally aimed at those with only limited understanding or experience of the subject. In seven thematic chapters the author provides succinct, highly practical coverage of the subject that makes for entertaining as well as educational reading. Starting with the basics – what comprises a digital record, what is analogue – there follow explanations of the various file formats with their pros and cons and an overview of some of the recent national and international projects investigating digital preservation (such as InterPARES and the University of British Columbia research). The next chapter looks at storage and handling in the physical sense and draws on Australia’s National Archives (Managing Electronic Records) and the Victorian Public Records Office VERS Report, both of which are rated as essential reading for anyone involved in the area. There follow chapters on e‐mail and Web pages, digital imaging (with useful check lists and a discussion of in‐house versus outsourcing options) and, finally, a discussion of various strategic systems and methodologies that may assist in drawing up policies and practices.

Each chapter comes with an extensive bibliography. The contents are well presented with lots of headings, dot points and occasional illustrations. In a book this size it is not possible to cover everything (thus there is little discussion of costs involved in various approaches, and almost all examples are drawn from major players). Some comment of the “traps for young players” – kind from smaller, local institutions who have learned the hard way would have been most useful – after all, this book is aimed squarely at those working in these types of organisations. In addition, some areas, e.g. preservation of Web pages, are overly simplified and the process made to sound far easier (and thus less resource demanding) than it usually is. However, these are quibbles.

For students unsure of what digitisation and preservation of electronic records are all about, this is a great place to start. For a busy professional entering into the field, needing to understand proposals being placed, to ask the right questions or dealing with IT professionals, this book provides foundation knowledge in an agreeable and accessible manner. Highly recommended.