Abstract

The position of libraries as society’s guarantors of thefreedom of access to knowledge persists despite barriers to lending digital content, to the collection of digital content in order to preserve it from the “digital black hole” and to the development of digital collections in libraries. The evidence of the lack of minimum international legal standards in a digital environment and in our library sector has raised concerns over the global legal framework that is needed to facilitate the use of digital content in a way that is balanced for both libraries and copyright. The article includes a brief introduction about initiatives by library associations such as IFLA, working together with WIPO to boost TLIB, an international treaty on exceptions and limitations to copyright for libraries, and the EBLIDA campaign, ‘The Right to e-Read’.

Abstract

The balance of the activity of Spanish archives in 2011 is remarkably satisfactory. Areas where improvement has led to a more relevant improvement (document management regulations, digital preservation, access, human rights) and the need for increased efforts in training, archival legislation, re-use of information and research are pointed out.

Abstract

The international state of research and development of digital preservation solutions in 2009 is assessed, as well as the expectations for 2010. We pay particular attention to the monitoring of the main research and development of specific software, and feature prominent research centres worldwide.

Abstract

Libraries and various agencies are beginning to value research data as an academic product. This situation is bringing out new skills among information professionals, especially in university libraries that are beginning to launch the first proposals, testing methodologies and exploring solutions to begin protecting our users’ research data. We explain one of these initiatives undertaken by the university libraries in the UK, the Data Asset Framework (DAF) initiative. The objective of this project is to identify the characteristics and conditions of the data generated by professors and researchers and use the results to create a framework allowing the implementation of policies for the conservation and preservation of research data.

Abstract

Patrimoni Digital de Catalunya (Padicat) is the web archive created in 2005 by the  Biblioteca de Catalunya (BC), with the aim of collecting, processing and providing permanent access to the digital heritage on internet for the people of Catalonia  (Spain). Its collection policy is based on three pillars: exhaustive harvesting of the .cat domain, selective compilation of digital resources published by Catalan institutions and companies, and monographic capture of social events, such as electoral campaigns on the Internet. The article describes the actions taken to capture and preserve web pages for the most recent electoral contests, in order to show future generations the internet electoral campaigns of the early 21st century.

Abstract

The article presents a survey of international research studies and development in digital preservation, devoting a section to the situation in Spain. The author outlines applications in areas such as institutional repositories, administrative records, personal archives, aerospace industry and museum archives, but the greatest attention is given to digital preservation applications in libraries and archives. The pre-eminent role of certain libraries and the national archives and records of certain countries is evident in an analysis of the protagonists of this research, as well as the emerging role of software companies. The major lines of research include the integration of tools to create integrated preservation systems.

Abstract

The audiovisual holdings of archives, libraries and museums are in danger due to the degradation of analogical content recorded on tapes. The article lists the possible damages suffered by videotapes as well as the problems posed by the technical obsolescence of equipment needed to read them. There is an international consensus that digitalization is the best way to preserve videotapes. Digitization is not an easy process considering the complexity of video’s digital file formats, which include rich multimedia wrappers and multiple standards for compressing video and audio. Technical decisions should specifically address the needs of each different service, which is illustrated with a case study on audiovisual recordings from local televisions in Spain.

Abstract

Gredos, the institutional repository of Salamanca University, offers full-text open access to the Educación y biblioteca (Education and the library) journal. The origins and goals of the digitization project and of placing the journal in the repository are described, along with the methodology and processes used to carry out the project. This has ensured the journal’s longterm preservation and dissemination of its contents. Owing to the interoperability of the  Gredos repository, Educación y biblioteca is available through portals including Hispana,  Europeana, OAIster / WorldCat and BASE. Although the journal is no longer published, its content remains constantly available.

Abstract

Forensic analysis techniques, usually applied in criminal research, could also be used in libraries to access digital information stored in obsolete formats or storage devices. This article analyses some examples of forensic research departments created by libraries, and describes the minimal hardware and software elements required to set up a library unit specialized in forensic analysis. Two possible equipment settings are introduced and recommendations are given on how to organize a workflow to recover information stored in floppy disks, diskettes and old hard drives.

Abstract

NDSA Levels is a methodology created by the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) at the United States to assess the level of digital preservation of a particular institution. Results of its application in 8 public and private organizations in Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Switzerland are presented. From this experience it is concluded that the NDSA Levels methodology is easy to apply and that its application besides alerting about the aspects not yet implemented, provides guidance on the technical actions that should be undertaken in the future within a preservation plan.