<$BlogRSDUrl$> Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
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Friday, October 22, 2004  

Implementing Digital Preservation Models
http://www.oclc.org/research/announcements/2004-10-01.htm

How are digital materials currently being preserved in the cultural heritage community? How should they be preserved in the future? PREMIS, a working group jointly sponsored by OCLC and RLG, recently issued a report on that subject. Based on survey responses from nearly 50 institutions in 13 countries, PREMIS (Preservation Metadata Implementation Strategies) discovered certain trends that may ultimately emerge as best practices. One is to store metadata redundantly in both an XML or relational database, as well as with the content data objects themselves. Database storage allows fast access, while storing them with the object makes the object self-defining outside the context of the preservation repository. Maintain multiple versions (originals and at least some normalized or migrated versions) in the repository, and store complete metadata for all versions. Retaining the original reduces risk in case better preservation treatments become available in the future. Another recurring trend noted in the report was using the OAIS model as a framework and starting point for designing the preservation repository, but retaining the flexibility to add functions and services that go beyond that model. The METS format was recommended for structural metadata and as a container for descriptive and administrative metadata, but Z39.87/MIX was preferred for technical metadata for still images.

posted by Marcus Zillman | 4:05 AM
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