Digital preservation is no longer just for major institutions with huge budgets

In his new book, Practical Digital Preservation: A how-to-guide for organizations of any size, Adrian Brown debunks the myths about digital preservation and demonstrates that organizations of all sizes can put it into practice, even those with very limited resources and existing knowledge.

Digital preservation has become a critical issue for institutions of all sizes but until recently has mostly been the preserve of national archives and libraries with the resources, time and specialist knowledge available to experiment.

As the discipline matures and practical tools and information are increasingly available the barriers to entry are falling for smaller organizations which can realistically start to take active steps towards a preservation strategy. However, the sheer volume of technical information now available on the subject is becoming a significant obstacle and a straightforward guide is required to offer clear and practical solutions. 

Practical Digital Preservation: A how-to-guide for organizations of any size offers a comprehensive overview of best practice and is aimed at the non-specialist, assuming only a basic understanding of IT.  The book provides guidance as to how to implement strategies with minimal time and resources.

Each chapter covers the essential building blocks of digital preservation strategy and implementation, leading the reader through the process.

International case studies from organizations such as the Wellcome Library, Central Connecticut State University Library in the USA and Gloucestershire Archives in the UK illustrate how real organizations have approached the challenges of digital preservation.

The book will be essential reading for anyone involved in digital preservation and those wanting to get a better understanding of the process. It will also be a useful guide for students studying library and information science, archives and records management courses and academics getting to grips with practical issues.

Practical Digital Preservation: A how-to-guide for organizations of any size(May 2013, 352pp, paperback, ISBN: 978-1-85604-755-5, £49.95) is published by Facet Publishing and is available from Bookpoint Ltd | Tel: +44 (0)1235 827702 | Fax: +44 (0)1235 827703 | Email: facet@bookpoint.co.uk | Web: www.facetpublishing.co.uk. | Mailing Address: Mail Order Dept, 39 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4TD. The book is available in North America through Neal-Schuman Publishers