A Practical Approach to Digital Preservation Planning at a Mid-Sized Academic Library, 2016

Like many mid-sized academic institutions, the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library (AUC Woodruff Library) finds itself in need of assessment and consolidation of existing digital content management platforms as well as exploring options for long term preservation of digital assets. In 2015 the library was the recipient of two grants that will result in significant expansion of its holdings of digitized audio and visual resources that require access and long term preservation.This presentation addresses the practical approach one institution undertook to evaluate the digital content management and preservation landscape in order to inform rapid growth and expansion of its digital programs. The library formed two internal working groups, one to address content management system consolidation and one to address digital preservation. The presentation will outline the process of beginning digital preservation planning including conducting an inventory of digital assets, evaluating digital content management and preservation systems, developing born digital workflows, and formulating a digital preservation framework for the library that is realistic for a mid-sized institution and consistent with the Librarys overall strategic plan. Presented at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress, Columbus, OH, August 2016