RLG DigiNews: Volume 4, Number 3 Table of Contents ● Feature Article ❍ Keeping Memory Alive: Practices for Preserving Digital Content at the National Digital Library Program of the Library of Congress by Caroline R. Arms ● Technical Feature ❍ Risk Management of Digital Information: a File Format Investigation ● Highlighted Web Site - TechFest ● FAQ - SCSI, UDMA, USB, and Firewire Technology ● Calendar of Events ● Announcements ● RLG News ● Hotlinks Included in This Issue Feature Article Keeping Memory Alive: Practices for Preserving Digital Content at the National Digital Library Program of the Library of Congress by Caroline R. Arms, National Digital Library Program & Information Technology Services, Library of Congress
[email protected] Introduction The National Digital Library Program (NDLP) provides remote public access to unique collections of Americana held by the Library of Congress through American Memory. During the 1990s, the program digitized materials from a wide variety of original sources, including pictorial and textual materials, audio, http://www.rlg.org/preserv/diginews/diginews4-3.html (1 of 24)6/21/2005 1:31:04 PM RLG DigiNews: Volume 4, Number 3 video, maps, atlases, and sheet music. Monographs and serials comprise a very small proportion of the textual materials converted. The program's emphasis has been on enhancing access. No digitization has been conducted with the intent of replacing the original materials; indeed, great care is taken over handling fragile and unique resources and conservation steps often precede scanning. (1) Nevertheless, these digital resources represent a significant investment, and the Library is concerned that they continue to be usable over the long term. The practices described here should not be seen as policies of the Library of Congress; nor are they suggested as best practices in any absolute sense.