Strategies for managing digital content formats

Abstract

Purpose

With heavy ongoing investment in the creation, storage and delivery of electronic content, it is important to consider the long‐term preservation of the resources produced.

Design/methodology/approach

A viewpoint paper based on extensive practitioner experience with the management of digitisation, digital preservation, and quality assurance procedures.

Findings

The choice of file and media formats for the content can have a significant effect on long‐term access to electronic content.

Practical implications

Gives some useful insights on some of the issues surrounding the choice of open or proprietary formats. The paper also examines some of the pitfalls of a proprietary approach and suggests some strategies that might be employed for managing digital content formats in the long‐term.

Originality/value

An attempt to provide clear, experience based strategies on how best to engage in the long‐term management of digital content formats.

Citation

Williamson, A. (2005), "Strategies for managing digital content formats", Library Review, Vol. 54 No. 9, pp. 508-513. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530510629515