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Interactive Assessment: Selection of Digital Materials for Long-term Retention

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Selection of Content and Version
Selection 1 Help

Does the content of this resource fall within the institutional remit/collection development policy?

Yes
No
 

If you have not already developed a policy on selection of digital materials for long-term preservation, see Handbook sections Institutional Policies and strategies and Acquisition and appraisal for guidance.

Decisions on long-term value will include consideration of the following:

  • Is there a legal requirement associated with the material?
  • Is the material of high value to your institutions’ business/mission?
  • Is the information content of high quality?
  • Do you have or can you negotiate acceptable access arrangements?
  • Could it reasonably be considered to be an important example of its type?
  • Is it likely to be required for future research?

Close

 
   
 
Selection of Content and Version
Selection 2

Is there an alternative organisation more suited to preservation of this material?

Yes
No
You answered No to Selection 1 - please answer Selection 2

Decisions on long-term value will include consideration of the following:

  • Is there a legal requirement associated with the material?
  • Is the material of high value to your institutions’ business/mission?
  • Is the information content of high quality?
  • Do you have or can you negotiate acceptable access arrangements?
  • Could it reasonably be considered to be an important example of its type?
  • Is it likely to be required for future research?

Close

 
You answered No to Selection 2 - Please answer Selection 3
Selection of Content and Version
Selection 3

Do you need to acquire for other purposes, e.g. reference?

Yes
See Advice
No
See Advice

You answered Yes to Selection 3 and thus reached a natural end to the Decision Tree. The following advice is based on your answers to the questions.

Advice

Acquire for use but not preservation.

Close

You answered No to Selection 3 and thus reached a natural end to the Decision Tree. The following advice is based on your answers to the questions.

Advice

Don't acquire.

Close

 
Selection of Content and Version
Selection 4

Does the resource exist in multiple media formats (e.g. digital and print)?

Yes
No
Proceed to next Section
You answered Yes to Selection 1 - Please answer Selection 4
You answered Yes to Selection 2 - Please answer Selection 4
 
   
Selection of Content and Version
Selection 5 Help

Should the digital version be selected for preservation?

Yes
No
See Advice
You answered Yes to Selection 4 - Please answer Selection 5

Decisions will include consideration of the following factors:

  • Predicted preferred format of users;
  • Technical considerations regarding ease of use and ability to maintain over time;
  • Whether the resource is required short-term only;
  • Whether there are significant variations between formats for them to be considered different versions.
  • Whether functionality of one version offers greater scope for use.

Close

You answered No to Selection 5 and thus reached a natural end to the Decision Tree. The following advice is based on your answers to the questions.

Advice

Acquire for use but not preservation.

Close

 
   
Selection of Content and Version
Selection 6 Help

Can the organisation meet the requirements of any data sensitivity issues in the content?

Yes
Proceed to next Section
No
See Advice
You answered Yes to Selection 5 - Please answer Selection 6

See: Information security and Legal compliance sections

Close

See: Information security and Legal compliance sections

Close

 

 

 

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