Towards a European network for digital preservation

1. Towards a European network for digital preservation Ideas for a proposal Mariella Guercio, University of Urbino

2. Background: key steps2001-2004 • Brussels report on preserving tomorrow’s memory (1 March 2002) • Council resolution (25 June 2002) on preserving tomorrow’s memory(2002/C 162/02) • Firenze Agenda approved on 16/17 October 2003 • The continuing action of UE Presidencies(2001-2004) to support initiatives on digital preservation

3. From the conclusions of the Brussels experts meeting • Key challenges: • build advocacy and awareness • avoid fragmentation of European policies and initiatives • develop technical standards to ensure the sustainability of the preservation function in terms of cost-effective solutions • plan and implement skills and training programmes to promote the exchanging of knowledge between organizations and across different sectors • ensure coherence and continuity through and beyond research and dissemination projects

4. UE Council resolution on preserving tomorrow’s memory of 25 June 2002 The objectives and measures proposed for preserving digital content for future generations are: • stimulating the development of policies by building up cooperation frameworks and mechanisms to exchange experiences and policies; supporting relevant custodial organizations, examining the organisational infrastructures and technical standards needed to support stable and compatible networks of trusted repositories for preservation • raising advocacy and awareness through networks • improving the skills grounding by creating mechanisms for exchanging knowledge and skills • stimulating research on problems and solutions

5. Firenze Agenda, October 2003 • Action Area 1: create awareness and cooperation mechanisms by building consensus and creating a community focused on policy makers and users needs • Action 2: exchange good practice and develop a common point of view by collecting information on current practices and selecting and promoting the best ones for dissemination and training • Action 3: develop long-term policies and strategies as tools to support the future preservation of digital resources

6. The continuing action of EU Presidencies: the Den Haag recommendations (Dec. 2004) • integration of policy and co-ordination, • establishing a European co-ordination entity for setting agendas and creating a coordination mechanism • developing frameworks for small institutions • establishing national networks with the aim of sharing experiences, exchanging information and best practices, developing training programmes

7. The continuing action of the UE presidencies: the Den Haag priorities (Dec. 2004) • developing awareness and responsibilities for stakeholders and policy makers • creating a European coordination • supporting the development of national agencies or networks and/or coordinated actions capable of involving various types of actors and sectors (cultural institutions, research centres, professional associations, e-government areas, private companies) • involving and developing international consortia for common research and political actions • investing resources for training professionals and improving educational programmes

8. The next step forward: framework and aims for a coordination action General aims: • building awareness and creating consensus • strengthening the existing national networks and promoting new developments within a European coordination action • developing legal and policy framework and tools at European level • defining the basis and areas for common research investments • planning and implementing training programmes

9. Building awareness and consensus Building awareness and consensus, by: • organising events and information days • publishing studies, tools and developing web-services for dissemination among various communities • promoting basic training activity and seminars

10. Strengthening or promoting national networks within a European coordinating action • Creating a coordination mechanism to develop a common framework • Building a service network for professional communities, a help-desk service and other tutoring services for the needs of network members • Encouraging the creation of national networks by involving actors from various sectors (public administrations, professional associations, private companies, research and training sectors)

11. Developing legal and policy framework and tools at European level • Enhancing European cooperation so as to achieve a more intense commitment of Member States authorities • Enhancing cooperation with the NRG and implementing the action lines • Defining a responsibility framework for the development of initiatives at national level • Identifying priorities and preparing basic studies to support the work of policy-makers • Analysing and comparing current legal and regulatory contexts

12. Defining the basis and areas for common research investments • Conducting case studies and produce materials and elements for developing best practices and guidelines • Establishing an observatory for the analysis of technology trends and risks • Developing and adopting common research agendas by national funding agencies and research centres with the aim of promoting standards and recommendations • Identifying research policies and organisational models on specific issues (like metadata) as relevant aspects for implementing effective results in the digital preservation function • Promoting and implementing advanced training initiatives at European and international level.

13. Tools crossing the activities areas • Portal and web services • Seminars and training

14. Need to discuss and define: • The concrete framework of the project and the related responsibilities for the main packages and for some special tasks considered relevant at the level of content • The evaluation of the risks of a European network project which is so wide in size and so complex in its internal organizational aspects • The identification of roles, with specific reference to the need for a leadership but also to the possibility for the best practices to emerge and to be shared.