Networking for Digital Preservation: Current Practice in 15 National Libraries By Ingeborg Verheul. IFLA Publications, 119. Munich: Saur, K.G. 2006. 272 pp. $109.00 hard cover ISBN 3598218478
✍ Scribed by Rebecca L. Mugridge
- Book ID
- 104039716
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2007
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 46 KB
- Volume
- 31
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1464-9055
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
the United Kingdom and the United States. The results of the IFLA survey are presented in two parts, the first consisting of a composite overview and analysis of all 15 libraries' responses, and the second consisting of detailed descriptions of the digital preservation environment in each of the 15 responding libraries. In both parts the analysis includes a review of legal deposit legislation, digital repository status, preservation strategies and current activities, including national and international activities. The introduction includes an explanation of the survey's aim, scope and methodology, as well as a useful list of terms and definitions referred to in the analysis. Metadata standards and best practices, with a particular emphasis on preservation and administrative metadata, are considered in the analysis as well. Of particular interest are the lists of current activities and projects that are provided in the individual respondent libraries' summaries. Although this information is slightly dated, it serves as a good starting point for the researcher who is investigating the state of national libraries' preservation digitization strategies.
The book concludes with the organizational charts of the responding libraries, indicating the units that participate in digital preservation activities. The organizational charts illustrate that in most libraries the management of digital preservation activities involves more than just the preservation department, but often also the information technology department, the cataloging department and others. Also useful is the "cooperation chart" indicating how each of the 15 national libraries cooperates with others on a variety of digital preservation projects. A brief list of references and a list of acronyms complete the book.
The work would have benefited from a closer editing to avoid the numerous typographical and grammatical errors, and an index would have been helpful as well. Overall, this is a very useful introduction to the state of the field of digital preservation, and would be an excellent addition to any library involved in digitization activities.