The Digital Archives Handbook - by Aaron D Purcell (Paperback)

About the Book

This edited volume explores the challenges of digital donations with essays from archivists who have developed methods to provide access to a diverse range of digital materials found in government, private, and academic archives.

Book Synopsis

This edited volume explores the challenges of digital donations with essays from archivists who have developed methods to provide access to a diverse range of digital materials found in government, private, and academic archives.

Review Quotes

"This collected volume, edited by Dr. Aaron D. Purcell, gathers contributions by archivists and librarians from across the US. In particular, the contributions gathered in the book--and specifically those in part two--provide a fascinating set of case studies, narrated from a first-person perspective, that could elucidate and ground in real-life examples concepts and material taught in archival and collection management courses. The Digital Archives Handbook will, and should, be read widely by archivists and librarians by whom and for whom it has been written." --Journal Of Education For Library and Information Science

"The goal of this book is to give archivists the tools and confidence to "overcome current challenges and chart paths that anticipate, rather than merely react to, future donations of digital archives" (p. xxiv). These records cannot wait for the ideal situation; archivists must act now by learning about the formats being acquired by their institutions, setting realistic policies and procedures, talking early and often with their donors about expectations and access, documenting the work so future archivists understand their choices and actions, staying abreast of new technologies and tools, and continuously advocating for resources. Archivists have learned to maintain analog collections without the benefit of ideal staffing, funding, or resources, and Purcell wants to empower them to handle digital materials in the same manner. Action is important, andThe Digital Archives Handbookprovides realistic solutions and a way to get started." --The American Archivist

"The Digital Archives Handbook is a great value to new professionals and experienced archivists alike. In ten chapters, leading practitioners share essential context, real-world experiences, and authoritative guidance on core archival functions, professional standards, and diverse content types. The clear and lucid explanation of the more technical aspects of digital archives will empower readers to tackle their own challenges." --Michael Shallcross, digital preservation librarian, Indiana University

"A great donor and access-focused anthology on the fundamentals of managing digital materials, especially for those working in archives that collect from beyond their own institutions. The technical language is accessible and much of the content is scalable to archives of many sizes." --Arlene Schmuland, head, University of Alaska Anchorage Archives & Special Collections

The goal of this book is to give archivists the tools and confidence to "overcome current challenges and chart paths that anticipate, rather than merely react to, future donations of digital archives" (p. xxiv). These records cannot wait for the ideal situation; archivists must act now by learning about the formats being acquired by their institutions, setting realistic policies and procedures, talking early and often with their donors about expectations and access, documenting the work so future archivists understand their choices and actions, staying abreast of new technologies and tools, and continuously advocating for resources. Archivists have learned to maintain analog collections without the benefit of ideal staffing, funding, or resources, and Purcell wants to empower them to handle digital materials in the same manner. Action is important, andThe Digital Archives Handbookprovides realistic solutions and a way to get started.

This collected volume, edited by Dr. Aaron D. Purcell, gathers contributions by archivists and librarians from across the US. In particular, the contributions gathered in the book--and specifically those in part two--provide a fascinating set of case studies, narrated from a first-person perspective, that could elucidate and ground in real-life examples concepts and material taught in archival and collection management courses. The Digital Archives Handbook will, and should, be read widely by archivists and librarians by whom and for whom it has been written.

A great donor and access-focused anthology on the fundamentals of managing digital materials, especially for those working in archives that collect from beyond their own institutions. The technical language is accessible and much of the content is scalable to archives of many sizes.

The Digital Archives Handbook is a great value to new professionals and experienced archivists alike. In ten chapters, leading practitioners share essential context, real-world experiences, and authoritative guidance on core archival functions, professional standards, and diverse content types. The clear and lucid explanation of the more technical aspects of digital archives will empower readers to tackle their own challenges.

About the Author

Aaron D. Purcell is professor and director of special collections at Virginia Tech. He earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Tennessee, a M.L.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a M.A. in history from the University of Louisville. Purcell has also worked at the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Library of Medicine, and the University of Tennessee.