ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

Preservation News

Jane Hedberg

Rothenberg report on digital preservation

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has published Jeff Rothenberg’s report on software emulation, “Avoiding Technological Quicksand: Finding a Viable Technical Foundation for Digital Preservation.”

Rothenberg is a senior research scientist at the RAND Corporation and the author of the 1995 Scientific American article titled “Ensuring the Longevity of Digital Documents.” This new report proposes emulating obsolete software and hardware on future systems as the only way to ensure preservation of digital information. The report covers the problems of long-term digital preservation, determines the criteria for an ideal solution to those problems, and analyzes the viability of other possible solutions, including printing hard copy, migrating to new systems, preserving obsolete software and hardware, and relying on standards. It also proposes a research agenda for further investigation.

Copies are available for $20, including postage and handling, from CLIR Publications Orders, 1755 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036-2124; phone: (202) 9394750; fax: (202) 939-4760; e-mail: info@clir.org; Web: http://www.clir.org. Orders must be prepaid.

Why digitize?

CLIR has also published a report by Abby Smith titled “Why Digitize?” This report offers an overview of the issues that institutions should consider when contemplating a digitization project. In particular, it points out what digital conversion of collections can and can not accomplish. Its conclusions are based on the practical information learned from previous digital projects.

The report recommends that institutions collaborate in selecting the collections to be converted for Internet access, so research opportunities are enhanced and online collections complement each other. It also concludes that digital conversion provides extraordinary access, but it is not a reliable preservation method.

Copies are available for $15, including postage and handling, from CLIR Publications Orders. For more information, contact Abby Smith at CLIR. (See address and phone information above.)

Gracy to lead PCS

David B. Gracy II, will serve as interim director of the Preservation and Conservation Studies (PCS) program of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) at the University of Texas at Austin beginning March 15, 1999. Gracy is replacing Karen Motylewski, director of the PCS program since 1995, who has joined the staff at the Institute for Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C. A permanent director for the PCS will be recruited after a new dean has been selected for the GSLIS.

SOLINET workshop schedule

The Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) will offer three preservation workshops in the spring of 1999. The first, Preservation Management, will be held on Thursday, May 20, at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.

The instructors will be Christine Wiseman of SOLINET and Patricia Palmer of Virginia Commonwealth University. The second, Preservation of Photographic Materials, will be held on Friday, May 28, at the Historic New Orleans Collection in New Orleans, LA. The instructor will be Andrew Robb, a photograph conservator in private practice. The third, Library Binding, will be held on Thursday, June

3, at the Birmingham Public Library in Birmingham, AL. The instructors will be Julie Arnott of SOLINET and J. Noyes of Bridgeport National Bindery.

Each workshop costs $95 for SOLINET members, $135 for non-members. Some discounts and late fees apply. For more information, contact Andy Jones at SOLINET, 1438 West Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30309-2955; phone: (800) 999-8558 or (404) 892-0943; e-mail: andy_jones@solinet.net; Web: http://www.solinet.net. ■

Jane Hedberg prepares this column for the College Libraries Committee, Commission on Preservation and Access. Submissions may be made to Jane Hedberg, Wellesley College; jhedberg@wellesley.edu; fax: (781) 283-3690