Digital Preservation
Digital Preservation is the practice of keeping digital information accessible and usable over time. Think of it like protecting and maintaining digital family photos, but on a much larger scale for organizations. This includes making sure old files can still be opened, protecting against data loss, and keeping track of important documents, images, and other digital materials. It's particularly important in libraries, archives, museums, and organizations that need to keep their digital information safe and accessible for many years. This role combines traditional archival knowledge with modern technology skills.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Digital Preservation projects for university archives collection of 50,000+ items
Led implementation of Digital Preservation and Electronic Records Management systems
Created Digital Preservation policies and procedures for long-term data storage
Supervised Digital Archives and Digital Preservation initiatives across multiple departments
Typical job title: "Digital Preservation Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Digital Preservation Specialists
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a digital preservation strategy for a large organization?
Expected Answer: Should discuss assessment of current needs, budget planning, choosing appropriate storage solutions, creating policies, training staff, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the program.
Q: How do you handle format obsolescence in digital collections?
Expected Answer: Should explain approaches to maintaining access to old file formats, including format migration, emulation strategies, and keeping detailed documentation of preservation actions.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What methods do you use to ensure the authenticity of digital materials?
Expected Answer: Should discuss checksums, audit trails, metadata documentation, and chain of custody procedures for digital materials.
Q: How do you prioritize materials for digital preservation?
Expected Answer: Should explain assessment criteria like historical value, usage frequency, risk of loss, and available resources for preservation.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic components of a digital preservation system?
Expected Answer: Should mention storage systems, backup procedures, file format documentation, and basic metadata creation.
Q: How do you organize and track digital collections?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic metadata standards, file naming conventions, and collection management systems.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic metadata creation and management
- Understanding of file formats and storage
- Knowledge of basic preservation concepts
- Experience with collection management software
Mid (2-5 years)
- Project management experience
- Policy development and implementation
- Digital collection assessment
- Preservation planning and strategy
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and management
- Budget and resource planning
- Staff training and supervision
- Strategic planning and leadership
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic preservation principles
- Lack of experience with metadata standards
- No knowledge of collection management systems
- Poor understanding of digital file formats and storage needs
Related Terms
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