Book Review: Practical Digital Preservation: A How-To Guide for Organizations of Any Size

Abstract

Practical Digital Preservation: A How-To Guide for Organizations of Any Size. By Adrian Brown. Chicago: Neal-Schuman, 2013. 336 p. $75 softcover (ISBN: 978-1-55570-942-6). Practical Digital Preservation: A How-To Guide for Organizations of Any Size provides detailed information about and helpful strategies for tackling robust and evolving world of digital preservation. author defines digital preservation as the process of maintaining a digital object for as long as required, in a form which is authentic, and accessible to users (xii). book is divided into ten chapters and includes a glossary of terms, appendixes, bibliography, and index. first chapter includes some practical information regarding appropriate audience, use of book, minimum requirements for embarking on digital preservation, myths about digital preservation, a comprehensive survey covering history of digital preservation, and some helpful hints about terminology. In chapter 2, author outlines strategies for building a digital preservation program and for handling challenges such as limited staffing, resources, technical infrastructure, and knowledge of project management. He argues that first step should be securing recognition from administrators that digital preservation is important to success of organization. author helps reader in this regard by focusing this chapter on creating an effective business plan for digital preservation. Moreover, author includes methods for discussing financial and nonfinancial benefits of adopting and embracing a digital preservation plan. Creating a digital preservation policy and knowing essential components therewith can be a powerful means of securing support from administrators and colleagues. Chapter 3 provides a needs assessment for creating a well-documented, sustainable, and successful digital preservation program. chapter focuses on best way to develop a set of requirements, communicate with stakeholders to secure support and contribution to program, examine other business plans and policies, and build on what organization is already doing. Additionally, author includes detailed information on how established requirements should be articulated and documented. last part of chapter highlights application of established requirements and best way to create an actual digital preservation program. fourth chapter includes many useful case studies that outline approaches to creating and implementing a digital preservation program. A range of possible options are discussed in this chapter, from in-house solutions to outsourcing; in addition author describes why certain models are better suited to particular organizations. If an organization has already chosen an approach, this chapter would be useful to consult as it assesses implementation process as well as practicalities of managing a digital preservation service. Finally, author provides information on best way to develop a realistic roadmap to bring a digital preservation program to its optimum level of service and capacity in future. Chapters 5 and 6 focus on two stages of acquiring digital content for repositories. author describes stage one in chapter 5: The institution makes a decision to acquire a specific collection of material, undertakes any preparatory activities, and performs physical transfer of that material into its custody (109). …