Collections

The MetaArchive Cooperative helps institutions preserve their digital collections in a distributed digital preservation network. Institutions that participate in this network safeguard their “born-digital” items and digitized versions of historic, cultural, and scientific assets by dynamically replicating and distributing them to multiple file servers in multiple locations.

Since its founding in 2004, the MetaArchive Cooperative has established a variety of subject- and genre-based archives within this network based on our member institutions’ collections. For example, the “Southern Digital Culture” archive was established in coordination with the Library of Congress in 2004. In this archive, we collaborate to preserve a wide range of digital content, including music, video, images, photographs, artwork, text documents, websites, e-journals, and other digital files, all of which relate to the history and culture of the American South.

In 2008, the Cooperative launched its “Electronic Theses and Dissertations” archive in cooperation with the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)  to preserve the electronic theses and dissertations of its member institutions.

We also host an archive in our network that does not have subject- or genre-based boundaries in order to encompass any content from member institutions that does not fit within our existing subject- and genre-based archives.

New subject- and genre-based archives are proposed by our Content Committee (comprised of member representatives) and are formalized by the Steering Committee. In the coming year, we plan to found several new archives—including one for digital newspapers—to accommodate the collection strengths and preservation needs of our new members.

How can I learn more?

Please contact our Program Manager for more information about our Cooperative and the services we offer.