Media Preservation Introduction

Quick tips presented in combination with a bibliography of reference sources for further reading.

A guide from the Library of Congress with basic steps and guidelines for scanning documents and photos.

This publication collects key posts on personal digital archiving from The Signal, the Library of Congress digital preservation blog. Perspectives on Personal Digital Archiving is intended as a primer for the digital archive novice, as well as a refresher for those with more experience.

This guide from the University of Michigan Library offers information about using digital preservation best practices to keep your digital materials safe, so that you will be able to access them into the future.

This Digital Preservation Coalition Technology Watch Report explores some of the key challenges individuals face as they struggle to manage and store their digital files. The problems and recommendations outlined in the report can aid individual creators and users of personal digital archives, as well as the curators who may be in a position to provide advice about what to keep and how to preserve it, in their efforts to preserve personal digital files for the long term.

"This publication provides guidance to audiovisual archivists on a professional approach to the production and preservation of digital audio objects."

Covers five of the most common data storage standards for optical media.

"This report describes in nontechnical language the various types of CDs and DVDs now in use, how they are made, and how they work. It then distills current industry knowledge about disc longevity, conditions that affect life expectancy, and how to care for optical media. The guide is amply illustrated and includes a glossary and bibliography. ... The guide was written for use by librarians and archivists; however, it will be equally useful to any business or individual wishing to safeguard CD or DVD collections."

"An Analytic Report by George Blood Audio Video Film for the Library of Congress."