IASA 2017 Annual Conference

The Cambridge University Library and affiliated libraries at the University of Cambridge contain a wide range of audiovisual collection materials. As part of the two-year Polonsky Digital Preservation Programme, funded by the Polonsky Foundation, three Fellows have been embedded in the Cambridge University Library. Taking a holistic approach to digital preservation, they are undertaking research addressing policy, strategy, systems, workflows, skills and training. The intention is for Cambridge University Library to take a ‘digital stewardship’ approach to handling born-digital and audiovisual materials, ‘baking’ digital preservation concepts and processes into each stage of their workflows.

A collections survey (encompassing born-digital, digitised and audiovisual collection materials) has uncovered a variety of analogue and digital audiovisual materials, held on physical format carriers and networked data stores. Without existing specialist knowledge, skill-sets or audiovisual digitisation equipment currently available at the Cambridge University Library, this is an opportune time to commence working towards a holistic strategy for acquisition and preservation of digital and audiovisual collection materials.

Collecting institutions often approach audiovisual preservation via a digitisation route, using available best practice and standards. However, other digital preservation principles must be considered once files are digitised and require ongoing management (in a digital preservation system). As part of the Polonsky Project, considerations and recommendations regarding immediate and long-term needs of audiovisual collection materials are being addressed from a digital preservation perspective. We consider the strategies for approaching preservation of audiovisual materials via a ‘digitisation first’ versus ‘digital preservation first’ perspective, and the differences between each of these ‘lenses’.