technologies

Agreed approaches to a number of preservation processes, including the recording of

metadata, migration processes, data protection and item identification. Standards are
still evolving in these areas
Defining the responsibilities and functions of certain kinds of preservation
programmes. The outstanding example of this to date is the Reference Model for an
Open Archival Information System (OAIS), accepted by the International Standards
Organisation in 2002.
Standards should not be seen as a preservation panacea. Even where they exist, they are
subject to change, versioning and non-standard use by producers. Many format standards are
in fact proprietary specifications that may not be publicly available, so it may be m
i possible to
know whether tools for future access will be available.

While increased standardisation of processes can only help preservation programmes, it is

important not to wait for a single 'digital preservation standard' to emerge before taking
sensible preservation action.

10.6.2 Organisational structures

There are many different models that have been used as organisational structures to manage
digital preservation. Some possibilities include:
Setting up a single separate digital preservation unit to look after all aspects
A series of specialist units looking after different aspects
A matrix of people working in different areas, responsible to an overall programme
manager
Mainstreaming of the work through existing work areas so that it becomes part of the
normal work integrated with other operations
Embedding the programme in a particular existing work area such as IT, preservation,
collection development, or collection management sections.

These different models tend to produce different emphases, reflecting various levels of
comfort with IT tools, collecting objectives, preservation thinking, etc. Any model can be
made to work effectively, so long as it draws on the perspectives and skills that are needed
and has strong management support.

10.6.3 Preservation policy and planning

Preservation programmes should be guided by a policy framework that says what the
programme is trying to do and how it will try to achieve it. In a field of such complexity and
evolving understandings, a policy document needs to provide clear, long-term direction as
well as regularly reviewed guidance.

In implementing policy and developing action plans, it is almost always necessary to decide
what issues, actions and materials should be given priority for attention, and to understand
what work is critical before other work can be attempted.

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