An analysis of file format control in institutional repositories

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miquel Termens ◽  
Mireia Ribera ◽  
Anita Locher
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
File Formats ◽  
Digital Objects ◽  
Metadata Harvesting ◽  
Open Archives ◽  
Long Term Preservation ◽  
Open Archives Initiative

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the file formats of the digital objects stored in two of the largest open-access repositories in Spain, DDUB and TDX, and determines the implications of these formats for long-term preservation, focussing in particular on the different versions of PDF. Design/methodology/approach – To be able to study the two repositories, the authors harvested all the files corresponding to every digital object and some of their associated metadata using the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) and Open Archives Initiative Object Reuse and Exchange (OAI-ORE) protocols. The file formats were analyzed with DROID software and some additional tools. Findings – The results show that there is no alignment between the preservation policies declared by institutions, the technical tools available, and the actual stored files. Originality/value – The results show that file controls currently applied to institutional repositories do not suffice to grant their stated mission of long-term preservation of scientific literature.

scholarly journals Lost in migration: document quality for batch conversion to PDF/A

2018 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Erwin Suri ◽  
Mohamed El-Saad
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Batch Processing ◽  
Digital Archives ◽  
Adobe Acrobat ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Text Document ◽  
File Formats ◽  
Long Term Preservation

PurposeChanges in file format specifications challenge long-term preservation of digital documents. Digital archives thus often focus on specific file formats that are well suited for long-term preservation, such as the PDF/A format. Since only few customers submit PDF/A files, digital archives may consider converting submitted files to the PDF/A format. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe authors evaluated three software tools for batch conversion of common file formats to PDF/A-1b: LuraTech PDF Compressor, Adobe Acrobat XI Pro and 3-HeightsTMDocument Converter by PDF Tools. The test set consisted of 80 files, with 10 files each of the eight file types JPEG, MS PowerPoint, PDF, PNG, MS Word, MS Excel, MSG and “web page.”FindingsBatch processing was sometimes hindered by stops that required manual interference. Depending on the software tool, three to four of these stops occurred during batch processing of the 80 test files. Furthermore, the conversion tools sometimes failed to produce output files even for supported file formats: three (Adobe Pro) up to seven (LuraTech and 3-HeightsTM) PDF/A-1b files were not produced. Since Adobe Pro does not convert e-mails, a total of 213 PDF/A-1b files were produced. The faithfulness of each conversion was investigated by comparing the visual appearance of the input document with that of the produced PDF/A-1b document on a computer screen. Meticulous visual inspection revealed that the conversion to PDF/A-1b impaired the information content in 24 of the converted 213 files (11 percent). These reproducibility errors included loss of links, loss of other document content (unreadable characters, missing text, document part missing), updated fields (reflecting time and folder of conversion), vector graphics issues and spelling errors.Originality/valueThese results indicate that large-scale batch conversions of heterogeneous files to PDF/A-1b cause complex issues that need to be addressed for each individual file. Even with considerable efforts, some information loss seems unavoidable if large numbers of files from heterogeneous sources are migrated to the PDF/A-1b format.

scholarly journals Possibilities of networked electronic theses in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 375-386
Author(s):  
Makoto Shuto ◽  
Takayuki Manaka ◽  
Satoshi Nakayama ◽  
Hideki Uchijima
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Metadata Harvesting ◽  
Open Archives ◽  
Theses And Dissertations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate/explore the possibilities of nationwide networked electronic theses in Japan. Design/methodology/approach – The main points of the revised degree regulations, the activities of related organizations corresponding to the revised degree regulations, and the future direction of networked electronic theses which can be realized due to the network of institutional repositories are described and explained. Findings – In Japan, following the revision of the degree regulations, nationwide electronic thesis networks will be formed, which are rarely observed in other countries, and an infrastructure will be constructed, by which institutional repositories in Japan can be harvested by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. A well-established community of institutional repositories has enabled this achievement to take place. Originality/value – Very few national laws and regulations oblige a person who has been conferred a doctorate to publicize the thesis through the internet. There are only a few countries where the standard for metadata was established and metadata harvesting using the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting is being performed, providing one-stop services through portal sites. Therefore, this case study on the possibilities of nationwide networked electronic theses attributable to policies and the innovations of the repository network in Japan can provide useful information not only for persons in charge of digitizing dissertations but also for those concerned about open access generally.

The story so far-digital preservation in institutional repositories

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Adjei ◽  
Monica Mensah ◽  
Eric Amponsah Amoaful
Keyword(s):  
Staff Development ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Adequate Funding ◽  
Long Term Preservation

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the standards, strategies, support and challenges of digital preservation in institutional repositories in academic libraries in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe research was qualitative. Data used for analysis were drawn from interviews with respondents selected purposively from eight Ghanaian academic libraries.FindingsA key finding of the study was that although the academic libraries had operational directions for digital preservation activities in the institutional repositories, available standards and practices for ensuring long-term preservation seem to be unsuitable.Research limitations/implicationsRecommendations based on findings included development of comprehensive digital preservation policies to provide mandate and direction to preservation of the libraries digital collections, development of disaster plans, adequate funding, staff development and support from management.Originality/valueThe study has demonstrated the need for academic libraries in Ghana to have and develop good digital preservation standards for sustaining the institutional repositories to help in realizing its benefits.

Digital preservation: some underlying issues for long-term preservation

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sneha Tripathi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Storage Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Storage ◽  
Digital Objects ◽  
Long Term Preservation ◽  
Risk Preparedness

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the concept of digital preservation and traditional preservation per se and discusses various issues related to long-term preservation in a digital environment. Design/methodology/approach The study attempts to look into the various aspects of preservation in context of digital objects (borne or digitalized) especially. Bundling of an object (digital), digital storage, quality control and risk preparedness are some of the pointers studied to perceive an overall scenario for long-term preservation of an object. Findings Various methods have been suggested to deal with the issues related to long-term preservation of an object which can be used to frame an organization’s policy for long-term preservation. Originality/value The study emphasizes on collective measures incorporating traditional and digital means to ensure long-term preservation. It lists down various checklists to deal with various issues pertinent to long-term digital preservation.

Long-term hearing preservation after surgery for vestibular schwannoma

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone A. Betchen ◽  
Jane Walsh ◽  
Kalmon D. Post
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Preservation ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Class I ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Long Term Preservation ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are now amenable to resection with excellent hearing preservation rates. It remains unclear whether immediately postoperative hearing is a durable result and will not diminish over time. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of long-term preservation of functional hearing following surgery for a VS and to examine factors influencing hearing preservation. Methods. All patients eligible for hearing preservation (Gardner—Robertson Class I or II) who had undergone resection of a VS by a single surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up audiograms and magnetic resonance images were obtained. Of 142 patients deemed eligible for hearing preservation surgery, 38 had immediate postoperative hearing confirmed by an audiogram. In these patients with preserved hearing, the audiographic results demonstrated functional hearing in 30 (85.7%) of 35 patients who underwent repeated testing at a mean follow-up time of 7 years. Delayed hearing loss occurred in five (14.3%) of the 35 patients and did not correlate significantly with the size of the tumor. Hearing improved one Gardner—Robertson class postoperatively in three (7.9%) of the 38 patients. Conclusions. Long-term functional hearing was maintained in 85.7% of patients when it was preserved immediately postoperatively and the result was independent of tumor size. The results of this study emphasize that long-term preservation of functional hearing is a realistic goal following VS surgery and should be attempted in all patients in whom preoperative hearing is determined to be Gardner—Robertson Class I or II.

scholarly journals The woes of Swedish private archival institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Proscovia Svärd
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
National Narrative ◽  
Digital Repository ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Organization And Management ◽  
Long Term Preservation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the long-term preservation challenges that the Swedish private archives are faced with. In as much as they offer a complement to the public archives and hence offer a nuanced national narrative, they lack both financial and human resources to effectively deal with the digital information management environment. Design/methodology/approach Participatory Action Research (PAR) was used to identify the challenges of long-term preservation together with the six private archives institutions that were involved in the collaboration. The collaboration was financially facilitated by the Södertörn University. PAR is defined as a systematic investigation, with the collaboration of those affected by the issue being studied, for the purposes of education and taking action or effecting social change. What is distinctive of PAR is the active involvement of people whose lives are affected by the phenomenon under study. Findings The private archival institutions face long-term preservation challenges such as lack of a digital repository that would facilitate the capture, organization and management of digital records that are of different formats and in a dispersed environment. There are no stringent legal requirements to facilitate the creation and management of the records in a standardized way and the institutions fear that imposing such requirements might deter their clients from depositing archival materials with them. The institutions will also need to espouse the business-oriented archival descriptions where private organizations are concerned to identify relevant archival materials and to promote participatory archival descriptions that would allow the creators to tag their records with metadata. Digital information requires a proactive approach, that is, planning for the long-term preservation of the information before it is created. Private archives need to invest in education packages that will facilitate their clientele’s understanding of the challenges of digital long-term preservation. Research limitations/implications The findings cannot be generalized to all private archival institutions, as it was only six institutions that participated, but the issues discussed are relevant to most archival institutions. Practical implications A lot of research has been carried out in the area of long-term preservation, but researchers have not paid enough attention to the woes of the private archives. To sustain a nuanced national narrative, the private archives need all the support to be able to live up to their mission of preserving archives of the private sector that are not captured by the public archival institutions. This is important in a pluralistic society such as Sweden. Highlighting the challenges might enable the institutions to work towards finding common challenges. Social implications The private archives are part of Sweden’s national heritage. Their preservation matters to the society as a whole and to enhancing the voices of the underrepresented. Originality/value The literature review revealed that not much research has paid attention to the challenges being faced by the private archives. This paper, therefore, contributes to this knowledge gap.

Backing up digital preservation practice with empirical research

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-82
Author(s):  
Gareth Kay ◽  
Libor Coufal ◽  
Mark Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Graph Database ◽  
National Library ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
File Formats ◽  
Digital Objects

This article introduces the National Library of Australia’s Digital Preservation Knowledge Base which helps the Library to manage digital objects from its collections over the long term. The Knowledge Base includes information on file formats, rendering software, operating systems, hardware and, most importantly, the relationships between them. Most of the work on the Knowledge Base over the last few years has been focused on the mapping of functional relationships between file formats, their versions and software applications. The information is gathered through unique empirical research and is initially being recorded in a multiple-worksheet Excel file in a semi-structured format, though development of a prototype graph database is underway.

scholarly journals Letter to the Editor: Authentic Digital Objects

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
Andrew Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Rich Source ◽  
Digital Certificate ◽  
Digital Repository ◽  
Letter To The Editor ◽  
Digital Objects ◽  
Letter Writer ◽  
Long Term Preservation

Long-term preservation of digital objects requires curators to be able to guarantee the archival authenticity of the objects in a digital repository. In IJDC 4(1), Ronald Jantz suggested that a digital certificate is sufficient to ensure authenticity. The letter writer takes issue with this view and points out some of the archival misinterpretations in the Jantz article. He maintains that the archival literature is a rich source for discussions of authenticity that has been ignored to the detriment of Jantz’s arguments.

Digital File Formats for Digital Preservation

2018 ◽  
pp. 218-233
Author(s):  
Mayank Yuvaraj
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Institutional Repository ◽  
File Format ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
File Formats ◽  
Digital File ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Understanding

During the course of planning an institutional repository, digital library collections or digital preservation service it is inevitable to draft file format policies in order to ensure long term digital preservation, its accessibility and compatibility. Sincere efforts have been made to encourage the adoption of standard formats yet the digital preservation policies vary from library to library. The present paper is based against this background to present the digital preservation community with a common understanding of the common file formats used in the digital libraries or institutional repositories. The paper discusses both open and proprietary file formats for several media.

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