Life-Cycle Management
Life-Cycle Management and Digital Preservation
The life-cycle management of digital data is often referred to as “digital preservation. ” Because the term “digital preservation” can have multiple meanings, including ones as contrasting as the preservation of digital data and the use of digital technology to preserve analog data, “life-cycle management” is intentionally used in the Preservation Digital Reformatting Program to refer specifically to the progressive technology and workflow requirements needed to ensure long-term sustainability of and accessibility to digital objects and/or metadata.
Life-Cycle Management of LC Digital Data
The Preservation Directorate is actively participating in the LC-wide development and implementation of life-cycle management policies for digital data. As these policies are being fully coordinated and implemented across LC, the Preservation Reformatting Division (PRD) will play a lead, collaborative, or supporting role in the areas outlined below.
Media Longevity — media on which digital data are stored. Requirements for the media used for contractor delivery of digitally reformatted material are based on recommendations from the Preservation Research and Testing Division, relevant standards, and best practices.
Environmental Conditions — conditions in which holding media are stored and used. Storage and handling of media on which digital files are held by and for the Preservation Directorate are based on recommendations from the Preservation Research and Testing Division and the Preventive Preservation Section of the Conservation Division.
Software and Hardware Requirements — tools needed to ensure longevity and usability of digital data and metadata. These requirements are developed as part of LC's coordinated life-cycle management policies and procedures, following recommendations from relevant library units.
Workflow requirements — policies and practices needed to ensure longevity and usability of all LC digital data, metadata, and tools.
- Preservation Reformatting Division staff is establishing schedules and methodology for checking the integrity of digital files created for preservation reformatting projects. PRD has established requirements for administrative metadata for digital objects, including selection, conversion, and maintenance routines.
- Information Technology Services staff will administer the routines necessary to insure the persistence of digital objects and/or metadata.
Automated management systems for digital data and metadata (digital repository) — Systems needed to manage digital resources for acquisition, use, and archiving. Administering these systems is the responsibility of Information Technology Services.
