Permanent archiving of electronic publications

Abstract

Results of scientific research are nowadays as a rule published digitally. This is certainly the case in the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine, producing over 80 % of all scientific publications. Digital publishing is causing a real paradigm shift for research institutions and publishers as well as for libraries. As a consequence, these institutions have to develop new policies, new business models and new infrastructure and techniques. In this paper I will focus on the aspects of infrastructure and of techniques for permanent archiving of electronic publications. The problem is that, at the same rate at which our world is becoming digital, our information is threatened. New types of hardware, computer applications and file formats supersede each other, making our recorded digital information inaccessible. In the past, libraries and archives have undertaken several actions and carried out related studies and research on digital preservation issues. For instance the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB) - national library of the Netherlands - has jointly with IBM-Netherlands developed the first standard deposit system (Digital Information Archiving System or ’DIAS’). Using DIAS the KB realised in 2002 an electronic deposit (’e-Depot’) and signed archiving agreements with major science publishers for permanent keeping of an important part of the digital ’Record of Science’. In this paper I will describe the strategy followed and the steps taken to realise the ‘e-Depot’. In addition, the new initiative 'PATCH' to integrate and promote further research and standards-development for permanent access will be discussed.