Re: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
All those links look very helpful and interesting -- I'll be sure to study all of them in detail. Thanks! Will Martin
[CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
As with most libraries, we're accumulating an increasing number of digital holdings. So far, our approach to storing these files consists of a haphazard cocktail of: - A ContentDM site whose contents haven't been updated in three years - live network storage in the form of shared drives - a Drobo - CDs and DVDs - hard drives stored in static-proof bags, and - ancient floppy disks whose contents remain a mystery that would surely scour the last vestiges of sanity from our minds if we had a 5 1/4 drive to read them with. In short it's a mess that has evolved organically over a long period of time. I'm not entirely sure what to do about it, especially considering our budget for improving the situation is ... uh, zero. At the very least, I'd like a better sense for what is considered a good approach to storing archival files. Can anyone recommend any relevant best practices or standards documents? Or just share what you use. I'm familiar with the OAIS model for digital archiving, and it seems well thought-out, but highly abstract. A more practical nuts-and-bolts guide would be helpful. Thanks. Will Martin Web Services Librarian University of North Dakota
Re: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
This is a live topic. Suggestions http://e-records.chrisprom.com/recommendations/ http://www.metaarchive.org/GDDP For our CONTENTdm to MetaArchive workflow we use Bagit, and we archive the masters, not the site. http://libraryofcongress.github.io/bagit-python/ Al -- Al Matthews Software Developer, Digital Services Unit Atlanta University Center, Robert W. Woodruff Library email: amatth...@auctr.edu; office: 1 404 978 2057 On 8/13/14, 12:40 PM, Will Martin w...@will-martin.net wrote: As with most libraries, we're accumulating an increasing number of digital holdings. So far, our approach to storing these files consists of a haphazard cocktail of: - A ContentDM site whose contents haven't been updated in three years - live network storage in the form of shared drives - a Drobo - CDs and DVDs - hard drives stored in static-proof bags, and - ancient floppy disks whose contents remain a mystery that would surely scour the last vestiges of sanity from our minds if we had a 5 1/4 drive to read them with. In short it's a mess that has evolved organically over a long period of time. I'm not entirely sure what to do about it, especially considering our budget for improving the situation is ... uh, zero. At the very least, I'd like a better sense for what is considered a good approach to storing archival files. Can anyone recommend any relevant best practices or standards documents? Or just share what you use. I'm familiar with the OAIS model for digital archiving, and it seems well thought-out, but highly abstract. A more practical nuts-and-bolts guide would be helpful. Thanks. Will Martin Web Services Librarian University of North Dakota ** The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies. ** IronMail scanned this email for viruses, vandals and malicious content. ** **
Re: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
Perhaps these might be helpful? You've Got to Walk Before You Can Run: First Steps for Managing Born-Digital Content Received on Physical Media http://www.oclc.org/content/dam/research/publications/library/2012/2012-06.pdf Walk This Way: Detailed Steps for Transferring Born-Digital Content from Media You Can Read In-house http://oclc.org/content/dam/research/publications/library/2013/2013-02.pdf Roy On Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 9:40 AM, Will Martin w...@will-martin.net wrote: As with most libraries, we're accumulating an increasing number of digital holdings. So far, our approach to storing these files consists of a haphazard cocktail of: - A ContentDM site whose contents haven't been updated in three years - live network storage in the form of shared drives - a Drobo - CDs and DVDs - hard drives stored in static-proof bags, and - ancient floppy disks whose contents remain a mystery that would surely scour the last vestiges of sanity from our minds if we had a 5 1/4 drive to read them with. In short it's a mess that has evolved organically over a long period of time. I'm not entirely sure what to do about it, especially considering our budget for improving the situation is ... uh, zero. At the very least, I'd like a better sense for what is considered a good approach to storing archival files. Can anyone recommend any relevant best practices or standards documents? Or just share what you use. I'm familiar with the OAIS model for digital archiving, and it seems well thought-out, but highly abstract. A more practical nuts-and-bolts guide would be helpful. Thanks. Will Martin Web Services Librarian University of North Dakota
Re: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
Hi Will, I recommend the NDSA's Levels of Digital Preservation for practical, incremental steps you can take to improve how you store and handle digital data. http://digitalpreservation.gov/ndsa/activities/levels.html First step: get the content off the medium and into your storage system (on networked disk that is backed up.) Another important early step is to think about what you're saving, why you're saving it, and what value it has for people inside and outside your institution. Being able to talk about the scope and value of your digital files is a critical step in making a case for a digital archiving budget $0! Good luck, Robin -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Will Martin Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 10:41 AM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage As with most libraries, we're accumulating an increasing number of digital holdings. So far, our approach to storing these files consists of a haphazard cocktail of: - A ContentDM site whose contents haven't been updated in three years - live network storage in the form of shared drives - a Drobo - CDs and DVDs - hard drives stored in static-proof bags, and - ancient floppy disks whose contents remain a mystery that would surely scour the last vestiges of sanity from our minds if we had a 5 1/4 drive to read them with. In short it's a mess that has evolved organically over a long period of time. I'm not entirely sure what to do about it, especially considering our budget for improving the situation is ... uh, zero. At the very least, I'd like a better sense for what is considered a good approach to storing archival files. Can anyone recommend any relevant best practices or standards documents? Or just share what you use. I'm familiar with the OAIS model for digital archiving, and it seems well thought-out, but highly abstract. A more practical nuts-and-bolts guide would be helpful. Thanks. Will Martin Web Services Librarian University of North Dakota
Re: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
In addition to the OAIS model, the DCC Curation Lifecycle Model http://www.dcc.ac.uk/resources/curation-lifecycle-model informs digital preservation- it's less conceptual than OAIS and outlines the various steps that are involved in the whole lifecycle of the digital object, including storage. I second the recommendation for Erway's You've got to walk before you can run. Overwhelmed to action: digital preservation challenges at the under-resourced institution http://digitalpowrr.niu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Overwhelmed-to-action.rinehart_prudhomme_huot_2014.pdf might also be helpful if you are eventually interested in drumming up organization support and resources. Otherwise, it's oft repeated that no one storage/preservation strategy is best for all material types, so this little document http://www.dpworkshop.org/dpm-eng/terminology/strategies.html might give you a better sense of some of the practical methods you can employ and their relative effectiveness. There is growing interest in cloud services http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/cloud-storage-archives-match-made-heaven/, too. *-*Rachel Gravel Technical Services Librarian Marlboro College
Re: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage
Shameless plug for our cheap, nice, brutal hardware/software solution that gives you massive distributed (back room dark) storage across three boxes with fixity checking and all that Presentation: http://www.cni.org/topics/digital-preservation/economical-big-local-storage/ Software: https://github.com/ksulibraries/KentDSS --TK-- Tom Klingler Assistant Dean for Technical Services University Libraries, Rm 300 1125 Risman Drive Kent State University Kent, Ohio 44242-0001 330-672-1646 office -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Will Martin Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 12:41 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] Archival File Storage As with most libraries, we're accumulating an increasing number of digital holdings. So far, our approach to storing these files consists of a haphazard cocktail of: - A ContentDM site whose contents haven't been updated in three years - live network storage in the form of shared drives - a Drobo - CDs and DVDs - hard drives stored in static-proof bags, and - ancient floppy disks whose contents remain a mystery that would surely scour the last vestiges of sanity from our minds if we had a 5 1/4 drive to read them with. In short it's a mess that has evolved organically over a long period of time. I'm not entirely sure what to do about it, especially considering our budget for improving the situation is ... uh, zero. At the very least, I'd like a better sense for what is considered a good approach to storing archival files. Can anyone recommend any relevant best practices or standards documents? Or just share what you use. I'm familiar with the OAIS model for digital archiving, and it seems well thought-out, but highly abstract. A more practical nuts-and-bolts guide would be helpful. Thanks. Will Martin Web Services Librarian University of North Dakota
