Portal:Library and information science/Selected article/3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Digital preservation refers to the management of digital information over time. Unlike the preservation of paper or microfilm, the preservation of digital information demands ongoing attention. This constant input of effort, time, and money to handle rapid technological and organisational advance is considered the main stumbling block for preserving digital information beyond a couple of years. Indeed, while we are still able to read our written heritage from several thousand years ago, the digital information created merely a decade ago is in serious danger of being lost.

Digital preservation can therefore be seen as the set of processes and activities that ensure the continued access to information and all kinds of records, scientific and cultural heritage existing in digital formats.