NSLA has become a Full Member of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) joining the National Archives of Australia, AARNET, the University of Melbourne, and the libraries of the universities of Sydney and Adelaide as a growing cohort of Australasian representatives.
NSLA has had a digital preservation focus since 2011, undertaking a number of projects around collaborative digital preservation principles, organisational maturity, and obsolete physical carriers. The Digital Preservation Network continues to meet regularly to discuss matters of shared concern, from the daily business of policies, workflows and procedures to sharing tools, resources and new developments within our libraries.
“NSLA libraries are at varying stages in their digital preservation capability,” explains Barbara Lemon, NSLA Executive Officer. “Some are recognised leaders in the field in Australia, with well-established infrastructure, governance models and staff expertise; some are in the early stages of embedding formal digital preservation systems; and others are focused on increasing their personal and organisational capability.
“DPC membership has something for each of them: for early-stage practitioners, the training and resources will be particularly valuable. For more advanced practitioners, the value is in the opportunity to share with and learn from counterparts in other countries, and to extend networks beyond the GLAM sector. For all, the continued visibility of digital preservation as a global concern will certainly help to secure support from library leaders.”
NSLA joins the Coalition as membership in Australasia grows following the launch of a new DPC office in Melbourne. This presence in the region will enable improved access to the DPC’s program of activities for members and digital preservation practitioners across the southern hemisphere; helping support, represent and amplify the work of a very active Australasian digital preservation community, as well as assisting institutions at all stages of digital preservation maturity.
Jaye Weatherburn, Head of Australasia and Asia-Pacific for the DPC was delighted to welcome NSLA to the Coalition, saying, “We look forward to building on a history of collaboration in digital preservation with NSLA representing the priorities and needs of Australia’s national, state and territory libraries, thus ensuring that digital preservation continues to be presented as a national concern.”