What is Distributed Digital Preservation?


Distributed Digital Preservation is a new approach to preservation. As the name suggests, this method maintains copies of digital assets at multiple, geographically distributed sites. These copies are united through a LOCKSS software-driven network which is used to constantly monitor each digital copy. Such redundancy and monitoring minimizes the risk that information might be lost due to human error, technology failure, or natural disaster.

Why do we need digital preservation? In the digital age, much of what we create never sees the printed page. News and commentaries are published on Web sites. Personal thoughts are recorded in e-mails and blog posts. Even some government documents exist only as text documents or PDF files. Photos and video are, more often than not, “born-digital," originating in digital form. Institutions that are concerned about preserving a record of today’s cultural environment must acknowledge and adapt to this change. Files need constant monitoring to stay viable. Even when attempts are made to protect files using back ups and other tactical measures, the rapid pace of change of storage media and software will eventually render digital files useless. Through monitoring the files, migrating them into new formats when necessary, and storing these files in geographically distributed locations, we care for the long-term lifespan of these objects.

The methods we engage to preserve our digital files differ substantially from the processes libraries, archives, and museums have used to preserve physical collections. What has not changed is our commitment to our central goal: to ensure that our collections will remain available and usable for future scholars, researchers, and citizens.


How can I learn more? Please contact our Program Manager for more information about our Cooperative and the services we offer.