Current Networks

One of the principal ways in which the MetaArchive Cooperative helps institutions preserve digital assets is by creating and hosting Private LOCKSS Networks (PLNs) through distributed digital preservation. Institutions that participate in these networks are able to safeguard both “born-digital” items and digitized versions of historic and cultural artifacts by dynamically replicating and distributing them to multiple file servers in multiple locations.

Since its founding in 2004, the MetaArchive Cooperative has established three such networks:

1. The Southern Digital Culture Network was established in coordination with the Library of Congress in 2004. In this network, 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.

2. The Electronic Theses and Dissertations Network preserves the academic and scholarly works of graduate-level students.

3. The Transatlantic Slave Trade Network preserves an international collection of maps, ship logs, manifests, images and other materials relating to slave trade voyages across the Atlantic Ocean.

The MetaArchive Cooperative has also provided assistance to new PLNS as they conducted their start up activities, including the Alabama Digital Preservation Network, the Arizona Persistent Digital Archives and Library System (PeDALS) network, and the Data Preservation Alliance for the Social Sciences (DataPASS) network.

The scope of our networks is decided by the Steering Committee. It is directly influenced by member requests. In the coming year, we plan to found several new networks 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.