September 5, 2018 Digital Outreach Program Moves to Pratt, NYU

Press Contact: William Ryan (202) 707-1940
Public Contact: Barrie Howard (202) 707-1830

Following a nationwide call, the Library of Congress today announced that Pratt Institute, in collaboration with the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, will oversee the Digital Preservation Outreach and Education Program.

“We’re excited to pass the baton on this pioneering educational program to these great institutions that are so well positioned to carry it forward,” said Kimberly Powell, Chief of Internship and Fellowship Programs at the Library of Congress, “We are confident that the program will thrive under their stewardship.”

Under its new leadership, DPOE will continue to enhance understanding of digital preservation by providing training opportunities in the long-term management and dissemination of cultural heritage materials in digital formats.

Documents, photographs, and all forms of audiovisual media whether scanned from an analog source or “born digital” at the point of creation have a limited life cycle as digital files in their original setting. Practitioners of digital preservation learn to migrate and manage digital content over time to ensure its ongoing quality and accessibility, even in the face of technological change such as software updates and hardware obsolescence, or disruptive events like natural disasters.

“We are thrilled to be selected by the Library of Congress to lead the Digital Preservation Outreach and Education program,” said Pratt Institute’s Associate Provost for Research and Strategic Partnerships, Dr. Allison Druin, who has 20 years of digital preservation expertise. “Pratt is a player on the national stage, supporting cultural heritage professionals in learning about and leading digital preservation.”

Together, Pratt and NYU MIAP will seek funding to continue the important work of developing and supporting the DPOE program into the future. This partnership plans to expand how digital preservationists are educated, manage the ongoing responsibilities of this initiative, enhance the outreach efforts, and broaden the training curriculum. Pratt and NYU MIAP also plan to strengthen and promote existing networks of digital preservation education opportunities for current and emerging cultural heritage professionals.

“We are excited to collaborate with Pratt on expanding the impact of education and training in this area through the next iteration of DPOE. Digital Preservation is a cornerstone of the NYU MIAP curriculum,” said Dr. Juana Suárez, NYU MIAP Director and Associate Arts Professor in the Department of Cinema Studies. “Since 2013, nine of our graduates have participated in year-long National Digital Stewardship Residencies a network of fellowship programs initiated by Library of Congress to improve digital preservation capabilities nationwide.”

DPOE was established in 2010 by the Library of Congress as a part of the National Digital Information and Infrastructure and Preservation Program. DPOE advances the practice of digital preservation by fostering collaborative professional development opportunities that empower individuals with hands-on experience in the field and provides institutions with a stream of fresh digital talent. The program’s teach-a-person-to-fish model is designed so that participants return to their home institutions capable of training others, and increasing organizational capacity at their home institutions and beyond. This unique program has benefited a wide range of working professionals at universities, government and nonprofit organizations, commercial businesses, and professional associations committed to the long-term preservation of digital information.

Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute is a leading New York City academic institution for creative professionals whose mission is to educate students to be leaders of critical social change. Pratt’s library and information science program began in 1890 and has been continuously educating students and conducting research since then. It was one of the first programs ever accredited by the American Library Association. Today, the graduate programs offered by Pratt’s School of Information provide digital preservation education that blends theory with practice.

Founded in 1831, NYU is one of the largest private universities in the United States with a mission to serve students and the public as a top-quality international center of scholarship, teaching, and research. The Moving Image Archiving and Preservation (MIAP) Program awards a Master of Arts degree and is situated within the Department of Cinema Studies. NYU MIAP trains future preservation professionals to manage archival collections of film, video, and digital media, working with all types of legacy and contemporary audiovisual formats.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services, and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

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PR 18-101
2018-09-05
ISSN 0731-3527