The Digital Preservation Coalition is inviting responses from DPC members to a new survey exploring current approaches to “scan-to-preserve” digitization, with submissions open until 8 May (Anywhere on Earth).
Digitization has long supported access and use, often creating digital surrogates of physical records. Increasingly, however, organizations are adopting a scan-to-preserve approach, where the digitized version becomes the official record and the original paper record is subsequently destroyed.
This shift is being driven by a range of factors, including:
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improved access and preservation outcomes
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the closure of physical offices and storage
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the need to retain information held in paper records
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enhanced discovery and analysis through digital tools and AI
At the same time, this transition introduces important challenges. Archive services and practitioners have already begun to address the risks that digitization can pose to records of enduring value—particularly where aspects such as authenticity, integrity, and usability may be affected during the scanning process.
About the survey
The survey focuses specifically on the digitization of paper records where the digital version will be preserved for the long term as the official record.
It does not cover:
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digitization undertaken without an intention to preserve
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other analogue formats such as photographic or audiovisual materials
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born-digital records
The DPC is carrying out this survey on behalf of National Archives of Australia, to explore the wider community’s current approach to digitization, and to track good practice and guidance in this area.
How to take part
Participation is voluntary, and responses may be submitted anonymously. There is also the option to provide contact details if you are happy to be contacted for follow-up discussion.
The findings will inform DPC member support work with the National Archives of Australia, and key insights will be shared with the wider community.
The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. You can find it here: https://forms.gle/z58qAZqJpL48NZBx9
The deadline for responses is 8 May (AoE), although earlier submissions are very welcome.
We warmly encourage you to share your experiences and perspectives on this important and evolving area of digital preservation practice.