Erik Oltmans and Hilde van Wijngaarden
Digital publishing is causing publishers, research institutions and libraries to develop new policies, new business models and new infrastructures and techniques. A major problem…
Abstract
Digital publishing is causing publishers, research institutions and libraries to develop new policies, new business models and new infrastructures and techniques. A major problem is that, at the same rate at which our world is becoming digital, digital information is threatened. New types of hardware, computer applications and file formats supersede each other, making our recorded digital information inaccessible in the long‐term. The Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB) has jointly with IBM developed a standard‐based deposit system (the e‐Depot) and signed archiving agreements with major science publishers for permanent preservation of their digital materials. This paper discusses the fully operational e‐Depot at the KB. It focuses on the data flow of processing the digital publications, and we address the issue of digital preservation in detail, by discussing the use of the universal virtual computer (UVC).
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Erik Oltmans and Hilde van Wijngaarden
Electronic journals dominate the field of academic literature, and it is of great importance to the international scientific community that this electronic intellectual output…
Abstract
Purpose
Electronic journals dominate the field of academic literature, and it is of great importance to the international scientific community that this electronic intellectual output remains accessible in perpetuity. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the policy and ambitions of the National Library of The Netherlands (Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB) regarding digital archiving of electronic publications.
Design/methodology/approach
This article discusses three possible threats against permanent access, and proposes a coordinated and systematic approach to address these risks: the safe places network. This paper also includes a comprehensive overview of the e‐Depot system and the KB approaches to digital preservation.
Findings
The KB e‐Depot has been operational for more than three years, and fulfils the most important requirements.
Research limitations/implications
The KB focuses on both migration and emulation as preservation strategies Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need for collaboration.