Current State of 3D Object Digital Preservation and Gap-Analysis Report

DURAARK has released the Current State of 3D Object Digital Preservation and Gap-Analysis Report.

Here's an excerpt:

The gap analysis is approached through an in-depth analysis of two areas. One area is that of fundamental digital preservation tools and processes regardless of their content type. It describes processes and standards adapted by the global digital preservation community and implemented in archives of varying domains, e.g., archives dealing predominantly with e-publications as well as AV-archives. The second area is that of current existing processes for the digital preservation of 3D objects. It describes aspects and challenges which are uniquely tied to the long-term archiving process of this content-type and lists existing tools and standards. The gaps are identified through a comparison of the content type agnostic and the 3D-specific state of the art descriptions.

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Digital Repository Librarian at University of Waterloo Library

The University of Waterloo Library is recruiting a Digital Repository Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Digital Repository Librarian:

  • Leads projects which design and develop technologies supporting the capture, description, delivery, and preservation of digital objects
  • Serves as a technical resource to liaison librarians and others across the Library to facilitate the Library's role in establishing and advancing scholarly communication, digital repositories, and publishing platforms
  • Provides ongoing development and support of repository infrastructures for digital collections
  • Assesses the technical requirements for digitization projects and drafts appropriate specifications and procedures

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“The Demand for Out-of-Print Works and Their (Un)Availability in Alternative Markets”

Paul J. Heald has self-archived “The Demand for Out-of-Print Works and Their (Un)Availability in Alternative Markets.”

Here's an excerpt:

Prior studies demonstrate the shocking unavailability of most books published in the 20th Century, prompting The Atlantic Monthly headline: How Copyright Made Mid-Century Books Vanish. The unavailability of new editions of older works would be less problematic, however, if little consumer demand existed for those works. In addition, the lack of new editions would be much less troubling if the works were easily available in alternative forms or markets. Newly collected data provides evidence of the demand for out-of-print books and then charts the availability of out-of-print works in digital form (eBooks and .mp3), in used book stores, and in public libraries. The situation with books remains dismal, although music publishers on iTunes seem to be doing a much better job of digitizing older works and making them available than do book publishers. Some theories for this discrepancy are offered.

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Digital Curation News (3/19/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Exemplar Good Governance Structures and Data Policies

APARSEN has released Exemplar Good Governance Structures and Data Policies.

Here's an excerpt:

This report summarises the level of preparedness for interoperable governance and data policies based on both desktop research on selected data policies and online survey conducted during this study. It is important to understand what current data policies address and if they miss out on important topics, such as specific requirements for data preservation. This will give an indication on the possible impact of such data policies on the individual communities and allows recommendations to be drawn up to guide forthcoming policies. This report concludes with selected recommendations that should be taken into account when drawing up data policies concerning digital preservation.

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Systems Librarian at BYU-Hawaii Library

The BYU-Hawaii Library is recruiting a Systems Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This newly created faculty position serves under the direction of the University Librarian and will provide leadership, management, and support for library systems and applications at the Joseph F. Smith Library in Laie, Hawaii.

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Digital Archivist at Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic is recruiting a Digital Archivist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Digital Archivist works to ensure the long term preservation, organization, distribution and retrieval of digitized, born-digital, and traditional institutional assets illustrating the evolution, development and history of Mayo Clinic. Environment includes digital, multimedia and paper based records and historical documents which illustrate and memorialize the memory of the Clinic. The Librarian II – Digital Archivist will help define and apply the methodology and standards for archival best practices to born digital and digitized collections. The Librarian II – Digital Archivist will participate in shaping and promoting the Archives online presence and promotion of collections and services.

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Report on DRM Preservation

APARSEN has released the Report on DRM Preservation.

Here's an excerpt:

This report places the subject of Digital Rights and Access Management (DRM) within the context of long-term digital preservation and examines the related risks and challenges which arise in connection with the long-term archiving and ongoing accessibility of DRM-protected objects, and also the safeguarding of associated rights. It reviews the results of initiatives and projects already undertaken in this field and provides the results of a recent survey. It also analyses current user scenarios both within and outside the APARSEN consortium before offering a summary of recommendations and best practices for dealing with digital rights and DRM protected objects.

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Digital Curation News (3/18/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Digital Library Access Engineer at Stanford University Libraries

Stanford University Libraries are recruiting a Digital Library Access Engineer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This is a 4-year, fixed-term position in the library's Digital Library Systems and Services group, with the possibility for renewal. . . .

This position will be a key contributor to a dynamic team of technologists, architects and information professionals defining the library of the future. Come work in an agile-inspired, test-driven, team environment, balancing the rapid and incremental delivery of new features with operational robustness. Join us to realize the benefits of working with one of the most talented technology teams in Silicon Valley to support Stanford scholars in one of the nation's most inspiring campus environments, in the heart of the beautiful Bay Area.

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"Can Formalities Save the Public Domain? Reconsidering Formalities for the 2010s"

Niva Elkin-Koren has published "Can Formalities Save the Public Domain? Reconsidering Formalities for the 2010s" in The Berkeley Technology Law Journal.

Here's an excerpt:

In essence, formalities advocates argue that current copyright law protects too many works, and shifting back to an opt-in regime would help restore the balance in copyright law between incentives and access. Restoring formalities would arguably expand the public domain by increasing the number of works in which copyright is not affirmatively claimed. It has been further suggested that works of unknown authorship are underused. 8 This is due to uncertainty about whether they are protected by copyright or not, which creates a chilling effect. A notice requirement would signal to potential users which works are protected by copyright. A notice would also generate the information necessary for licensing, thereby facilitating the clearance of rights and reducing the problem of orphan works.

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Data Services and Collections Librarian at UC San Diego Library

The UC San Diego Library is recruiting a Data Services and Collections Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Data Services and Collections Librarian is the leader within the UC San Diego Library for managing and providing data and statistical services, with a focus on social science data. The position reports primarily to the Director of the Library's Reference & Research Advisory Services Program with additional assigned responsibilities in the Library's Collection Development & Management and Research Data Curation programs.

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"Digital Preservation File Format Policies of ARL Member Libraries: An Analysis"

Kyle Rimkus et al. have published "Digital Preservation File Format Policies of ARL Member Libraries: An Analysis" in D-Lib Magazine.

Here's an excerpt:

In the interest of gaining a broad view of contemporary digital preservation practice in North American research libraries, this paper presents the findings of a study of file format policies at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions. It is intended to present the digital preservation community with an assessment of the level of trust currently placed in common file formats in digital library collections and institutional repositories. Beginning with a summary of file format research to date, the authors describe the research methodology they used to collect and analyze data from the file format policies of ARL Library repositories and digital library services. The paper concludes with a presentation and analysis of findings that explore levels of confidence placed in image, text, audio, video, tabular data, software application, presentation, geospatial, and computer program file formats. The data show that file format policies have evolved little beyond the document and image digitization standards of traditional library reformatting programs, and that current approaches to file format policymaking must evolve to meet the challenges of research libraries' expanding digital repository services.

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Digital Curation News (3/17/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Programmer/Analyst 2 at University of Chicago Library

The University of Chicago Library is recruiting a Programmer/Analyst 2.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Programmer/Analyst 2: Works with customers to analyze workflows, develop design specifications, create, modify, implement, customize, test, document and maintain software solutions to support the University of Chicago Library's digital collections and other library systems for which the DLDC is responsible.

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"Time to Change: Effects and Implications of Digital Preservation in an Organizational Context"

Michelle Lindlar has published "Time to Change: Effects and Implications of Digital Preservation in an Organizational Context" in the IASSIST Quarterly.

Here's an excerpt:

Digital preservation within an organizational context requires different layers of change: During the implementation process the necessary resources have to be allocated and aligned. Since digital preservation is a cross-sectional task, drawing from the expertise of different stakeholders, this may require organizational change in form of new team structures. Furthermore, digital preservation is a rather fluid task, which requires constant monitoring and adaptability. Both change layers—the initial one as well as the ongoing one—have direct effects and implications on an organization.

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Digital Repository Analyst at Center for Research Libraries

The Center for Research Libraries is recruiting a Digital Repository Analyst.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Digital Repository Analyst will assess and compare the capacity of various systems to provide long-term access to digitized news. Based on this assessment, he/she will play a key role in developing a rational methodology and process for libraries and publishers to collaborate on digitizing newspaper content to ensure broad access, interoperability, and persistence.

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"Unwrapping the Bundle: An Examination of Research Libraries and the ‘Big Deal’"

Karla L. Strieb and Julia C. Blixrud have self-archived "Unwrapping the Bundle: An Examination of Research Libraries and the 'Big Deal'."

Here's an excerpt:

This study presents and analyzes the findings of a 2012 survey of member libraries belonging to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) on publishers' large journal bundles and compares the results to earlier surveys. The data illuminate five research questions: market penetration, journal bundle construction, collection format shifts, pricing models, and license terms. The structure of the product is still immature, particularly in defining content and developing sustainable pricing models. The typical "bundle" is something less than the full publishers list. Neither market studies nor market forces have produced a sustainable new strategy for pricing and selling e-journals. Finally, a complex history of managing license terms is revealed in the data.

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Digital Curation News (3/14/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Preservation Project Manager at Bay Area Video Coalition

The Bay Area Video Coalition is recruiting a Preservation Project Manager.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The role of the Preservation Project Manager is to coordinate BAVC's preservation activities, oversee the timelines and workflows of fee-for-service client projects as well as deliverables of grant-funded projects. The Preservation Project Manager is responsible for the supervision of on-call technicians, and works closely with the Director of Technology to ensure BAVC's preservation services are of the highest quality.

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World Wide Web Timeline

The Web turned 25 on 3/12/14. The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project has released the World Wide Web Timeline.

Here's an excerpt:

1990

  • 42% of American adults have used a computer.
  • World's first website and server go live at CERN, running on Tim Berners-Lee's NeXT computer, which bears the message "This machine is a server. DO NOT POWER DOWN!"
  • Tim Berners-Lee develops the first Web browser WorldWideWeb.
  • Archie, the first tool to search the internet is developed by McGill University student Alan Emtage.

Want more Internet history? See the Hobbes' Internet Timeline 11 and the Timeline of the Open Access Movement.

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Head of Digital Initiatives at Utah State University Libraries

The Utah State University Libraries are recruiting a Head of Digital Initiatives.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Utah State University Libraries seeks an innovative, collaborative, and highly organized Head of Digital Initiatives to lead digital collection and scholarly communication services that support the research and teaching needs of the University. Reporting to the Director for Digital and Information Technology, the successful candidate will direct the Libraries' digital initiatives programs, including the Digital Library and Digital Commons institutional repository.

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Digital Life in 2025

The Pew Research Center has released Digital Life in 2025.

Here's an excerpt:

To a notable extent, the experts agree on the technology change that lies ahead, even as they disagree about its ramifications. Most believe there will be:

  • A global, immersive, invisible, ambient networked computing environment built through the continued proliferation of smart sensors, cameras, software, databases, and massive data centers in a world-spanning information fabric known as the Internet of Things.
  • "Augmented reality" enhancements to the real-world input that people perceive through the use of portable/wearable/implantable technologies.
  • Disruption of business models established in the 20 th century (most notably impacting finance, entertainment, publishers of all sorts, and education).
  • Tagging, databasing, and intelligent analytical mapping of the physical and social realms.

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Digital Curation News (3/13/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Social Sciences Data Curation Specialist at University of Minnesota Libraries

The University of Minnesota Libraries are recruiting a Social Sciences Data Curation Specialist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Responsibilities:

  • Provide strategic leadership for the University of Minnesota Libraries in development and sustaining support for social science data throughout its lifecycle.
  • Collect, manage, curate, provide access to and assist in the analysis of research data related to social sciences and professional program academic departments; refer researchers to disciplinary repositories as appropriate.
  • Identify and propose research projects at the University of Minnesota involving data capture, management, and related issues that focus on social science data needs with potential for deeper scholarly engagement specific areas related to the specialist's background.
  • Access current and/or develops innovative methods for data discovery, to enhance the library's delivery and discovery environment related to social sciences data.

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