The DPC invites you to join us for this briefing day on the challenges of preserving semi-current or semi-active digital records. Speakers from a range of backgrounds will describe the practical issues and strategies for preserving these kinds of digital records and data in context of their organization. Participants will have the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers and add to the discussion to learn from each other how different organizations are taking on these challenges.
Description
This briefing day will explore the challenges around the preservation of semi-current or semi-active digital records. It will look at practical issues with real-life examples of organizations that have taken on these challenges to preserve and future proof the data they hold.
While records life-cycle models commonly refer to semi-current or semi-active records as those still of use to an organisation but only occasionally and so may be stored remotely with records centres, this briefing day looks more broadly at digital records and data that are still in active (but perhaps infrequent) use but also need to be preserved for the future.
The day will cover common concerns shared across sectors working with this kind of digital record situated in the semi-current or semi-active stage of the life-cycle. Speakers from different organizations will also share case studies of the specific challenges they have come across and what they are doing to address them. The day will conclude with a talk on collaboration and work of the EDRMS task force, followed by a panel discussion and time for final questions.
Some of the considerations raised during the day include
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What is this type of record at your institution: Is it a ‘simple’ document, a complex data structure, or something in between?
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Where should these semi-current/active records be kept (an existing records management system, another intermediate storage system or platform, a digital archive)?
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How can you best ensure the longevity of these records and that people can still access them (and, if appropriate, add to them)?
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What tools, measures, and means are used to ensure the technical and intellectual survival of the records over time?
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When should you transfer semi-current/active records to a digital archive?
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How should systems be designed and implemented for proper transfer and storage?
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What is future proofing and how does it relate to the preservation of semi-current/active records and data?
Watch the Recordings (please log in to view the recordings)
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Kevin Ashley from Digital Curation Centre, 'Preserving the Living - experiences & reflections on semi-current records'
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11:05 Case Study 1 from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – Gordon Reid, 'Information Management in the NDA' and Andy Harris, 'Burying Treasure - Radioactive Waste Package Records'
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11:40 Case Study 2 from the Bank of England - Bryony Leventhall, ‘Digital Preservation without Digital Preservation: How the Bank of England is doing its best’
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12:15 Lunch break
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13:15 Case Study 3 from the British Geological Survey/National Geoscience Data Centre – Jaana Pinnick, ‘Enhancing digital data continuity at the National Geoscience Data Centre’
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13:50 Case Study 4 from the Archaeology Data Service – Tim Evans, ‘Not set in stone (Preserving Semi-Current Records at the ADS)’
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14:25 Collaboration and the EDRMS Task Force – Tim Gollins from the National Records of Scotland, 'Preserving Semi-Current Records: EDRMS Task Force - Reflections'
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15:00 Panel Discussion and Q&A
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15:30 Wrap-up and thanks
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16:00 Close
Remember that you can follow us live on Twitter using the hashtag #DPCSemiCurrent
DPC Inclusion and Diversity Policy
The DPC Community is guided by the values set out in our Strategic Plan and aims to be respectful, welcoming, inclusive and transparent. It encourages diversity in all its forms and is committed to being accessible to everyone who wishes to engage with the topic of digital preservation. The DPC asks all those who are part of this community and/or attending a DPC event be positive, accepting, and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others in alignment with our DPC Inclusion & Diversity Policy .