Digital Preservation: The Library Perspective
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of research conducted into opinions within the academic library community on digital preservation and present a survey to build on and complement recent research done by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) into publisher strategies for preservation.
Abstract: Colin Meddings of Oxford University Press presented the results of research conducted into opinions within the academic library community on digital preservation. In this context the term digital preservation refers specifically to the preservation of electronic scholarly literature with the goal of ensuring materials remain accessible to future scholars, researchers, and students. Oxford University Press intends this survey to build on and complement recent research done by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) into publisher strategies for preservation.
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TL;DR: This exploratory study found 174 OA journals that, through lack of comprehensive and open archives, vanished from the web between 2000 and 2019, spanning all major research disciplines and geographic regions of the world.
Abstract: The preservation of the scholarly record has been a point of concern since the beginning of knowledge production. With print publications, the responsibility rested primarily with librarians, but the shift toward digital publishing and, in particular, the introduction of open access (OA) have caused ambiguity and complexity. Consequently, the long‐term accessibility of journals is not always guaranteed, and they can even disappear from the web completely. The focus of this exploratory study is on the phenomenon of vanished journals, something that has not been carried out before. For the analysis, we consulted several major bibliographic indexes, such as Scopus, Ulrichsweb, and the Directory of Open Access Journals, and traced the journals through the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. We found 174 OA journals that, through lack of comprehensive and open archives, vanished from the web between 2000 and 2019, spanning all major research disciplines and geographic regions of the world. Our results raise vital concern for the integrity of the scholarly record and highlight the urgency to take collaborative action to ensure continued access and prevent the loss of more scholarly knowledge. We encourage those interested in the phenomenon of vanished journals to use the public dataset for their own research.
31 citations
Cites background from "Digital Preservation: The Library P..."
...Library collections of printed academic journals and books secure long-term access through physical copies, but the shift from analog to digital gave rise to uncertainty as to who is responsible for preserving scholarly literature in electronic formats—publishers, libraries, authors, or academic institutions (Day, 1998; Fenton, 2006; Johnson, Watkinson, & Mabe, 2018; Meddings, 2011; Moulaison & Million, 2015; Science Europe, 2018; Waters, 2005)....
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...…rise to uncertainty as to who is responsible for preserving scholarly literature in electronic formats—publishers, libraries, authors, or academic institutions (Day, 1998; Fenton, 2006; Johnson, Watkinson, & Mabe, 2018; Meddings, 2011; Moulaison & Million, 2015; Science Europe, 2018; Waters, 2005)....
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TL;DR: This paper details how Milner Library digital preservation advocates have approached the task by seeking collaborations, speaking to administration, participating in national efforts and starting with small steps.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of beginning digital preservation efforts with restricted resources. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a case study approach, which is enhanced by advice from national experts in digital preservation. Findings – This paper details how Milner Library digital preservation advocates have approached the task by seeking collaborations, speaking to administration, participating in national efforts and starting with small steps. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, this paper is limited to one institution's experience with promoting digital preservation. Practical implications – This paper reviews basic misconceptions about and challenges with digital preservation. Many smaller or mid-sized institutions are left out of the digital preservation conversation because they cannot begin to meet national standards with restricted resources. Originality/value – This paper represents small and mid-sized institutions and the c...
30 citations
Cites background from "Digital Preservation: The Library P..."
...Although only 41% of surveyed institutions who are not participating in DP programs cited cost concerns, all institutions ranked the three top DP concerns as additional costs, lack of staff resources, and budgets (Meddings, 2011)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed an exploratory study on the phenomenon of vanished journals and found 174 OA journals that, through lack of comprehensive and open archives, vanished from the web between 2000 and 2019, spanning all major research disciplines and geographic regions of the world.
Abstract: The preservation of the scholarly record has been a point of concern since the beginning of knowledge production. With print publications, the responsibility rested primarily with librarians, but the shift toward digital publishing and, in particular, the introduction of open access (OA) have caused ambiguity and complexity. Consequently, the long-term accessibility of journals is not always guaranteed, and they can even disappear from the web completely. The focus of this exploratory study is on the phenomenon of vanished journals, something that has not been carried out before. For the analysis, we consulted several major bibliographic indexes, such as Scopus, Ulrichsweb, and the Directory of Open Access Journals, and traced the journals through the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. We found 174 OA journals that, through lack of comprehensive and open archives, vanished from the web between 2000 and 2019, spanning all major research disciplines and geographic regions of the world. Our results raise vital concern for the integrity of the scholarly record and highlight the urgency to take collaborative action to ensure continued access and prevent the loss of more scholarly knowledge. We encourage those interested in the phenomenon of vanished journals to use the public dataset for their own research.
26 citations
TL;DR: Investigating digital preservation practices in academic libraries in South Africa revealed that academic libraries experienced difficulties in preserving and sustaining their digital resources because of the absence of established standards, policies and procedures, inadequate resources, as well as a lack of skills and training.
Abstract: Background: The preservation of digital resources in academic institutions in South Africa is an imperative because of the proliferation of digital resources and the realities of the digital revolution. The study focused on digital preservation practices within academic libraries in South Africa. A number of studies were undertaken in the field of preservation in South Africa and they focused on the preservation of cultural heritage, preservation of electronic government and preservation of public digital information. The major gap in the literature reinforces the need to closely examine digital preservation practices in academic libraries in South Africa. There is a need to understand the extent of preservation of digital resources in various contexts in order to guarantee access to them for future generations. This will improve our understanding of the preservation of digital resources in academic libraries in the wake of the digital revolution. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate digital preservation practices in academic libraries in South Africa in order to suggest solutions for effective digital preservation. Method: The survey research method was used for data collection. Twenty-seven academic institutions in South Africa were surveyed. Data were analysed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: The findings revealed that academic libraries experienced difficulties in preserving and sustaining their digital resources because of the absence of established standards, policies and procedures, inadequate resources, as well as a lack of skills and training. They also had difficulties with limited funding and collaboration efforts, and the threat of technological obsolescence because of the constantly changing software and hardware, poor technology infrastructure and legal issues. Conclusion: All these challenges have created the need for best practices and solutions to facilitate the long-term preservation of digital resources in the academic libraries. Recommendations were made on the basis of the results.
21 citations
TL;DR: Key challenges include the need to revisit criteria and develop policies for preservation and selection along with the effect of unclear roles, responsibilities and expectations of a wide range of stakeholders.
Abstract: The process of selection underpins many important questions facing those libraries which have responsibility for preservation. Properties of digital material present challenges to established prese...
18 citations
Cites background from "Digital Preservation: The Library P..."
...Insight project (Kuipers and Van der Hoeven, 2009) who surveyed researchers, data managers and publishers from the EU, USA and elsewhere; Durrant (2008), who surveyed publishers; and Meddings (2011), who conducted a survey of academic libraries....
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