Angela Puggioni is Community Engagement Manager for the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC)
Today we’re celebrating something quite special: the 25th anniversary of the DPC Discussion List (DPC-DISCUSSION@jiscmail.ac.uk). For 25 years now, this listserv has been a friendly, supportive place where DPC members can ask questions, share ideas, and help each other make sense of the ever-changing world of digital preservation.
Long before remote working and virtual meetups were part of daily life, the list was already bringing people together across countries, sectors, and time zones. It has quietly hosted hundreds of conversations, from quick troubleshooting questions to thoughtful exchanges. Over time, it has become one of the things that makes the DPC community feel so open and easy to connect with.
We have asked some of our members what the list has meant to them throughout their time with it. One thoughtful reflection comes from Ray Moore (City of Edinburgh Council), who shared:
"The DPC Members’ listserv has been a fantastic resource that has both supported the work of digital archivists and information managers, and contributed to the development of a supportive, generous, and benevolent community; if I’m struggling with a problem, or need a sense check of my understanding, then the listserv membership will always have my back. Happy 25th birthday!"
Another lovely reflection comes from Ali Hayes-Brady (Monash University), who said:
“For me the listserv has been such a great lifeline to the wider community. Before DPC Australasia was created, the DPC listserv allowed for discussions to happen with people from all types of areas and backgrounds that I would never have had a chance to speak with. Hearing other people’s stories and solutions to challenges I'm also facing makes the digital preservation world seem smaller and the obstacles we face much easier to tackle.”
And that really sums it up. The list has lasted so long because of this spirit: open, practical, and generous. Whether you’ve shared a detailed workflow, offered a quick hint, or simply chimed in with encouragement, every message has helped build a shared sense of support and community.
So as we take a moment to celebrate this milestone, a heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who has posted, replied, or even just read along quietly over the years. Your willingness to help each other is what makes the DPC such a special place to be.
Here’s to 25 years of shared learning and to many more conversations still to come!