Another Resource

Thanks to the ARSC listserv, I have discovered another resource: http://digitalforward.net/. While there, check out their white paper.

SAA Fail!

So, during my frustration today I decided to check out resources available through my professional organizations, namely SAA and ARSC. ARSC has been the primary source of all my resources for audio preservation, and I was stunned when I realized that on the list of archive and archive-related organizations available on the SAA website, ARSC and IASA aren't even mentioned! The two largest audio-related professional associations aren't mentioned! No wonder SAA doesn't offer much guidance with audio preservation and digitization! They don't know what's out there! SAA fail!

(ARSC mentions SAA on their website...)

Modifying the OAIS

Today I read IASA's Guidelines on the Production...IASA-TC04, Chapter 7: Small Scale Approaches to Digital Storage Systems. This chapter simplified the OAIS (Open Archival Information System), and highlighted the most important aspects and provided cost-efficient recommendations for smaller institutions or small digital collection projects.

As I prepare a workflow for the School of Music audio project, I will have to examine the OAIS, and try to simplify steps. An OAIS consists of:
1) Ingest
2) Access
3) Administration
4) Data Management
5) Preservation Planning
6) Archival Storage

I will not be able to simplify the digitization (ingest), but if I can implement Dspace earlier on (if CUA has continued access and support to the Digital Object Catalog), I might be able to simply access.

Final comment--I was comforted to see that one sub-section in the chapter was titled "Single (or Double) Operator Storage System." I'm not the only a/v digitization team of one!

Archives Power

A quick reminder that archivists will begin to discuss Archives Power today on the blog Reading Archives Power.

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com

I just installed a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products, display inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.

Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.

Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.