How to Be Digital Preservationist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 2, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Digital preservation is an important step for organizations and individuals to protect digital content from becoming lost due to technological advances. As technology evolves, the risk of losing digital content increases as older formats become obsolete. Without digital preservation, valuable digital content can be lost forever due to hardware and software failure, malicious attacks, or even simple human error.

To prevent this, digital preservationists work to ensure that digital objects are properly archived, maintained, and stored. This includes activities such as migrating files to newer formats, preserving metadata, and developing preservation strategies. By taking these steps, digital preservationists help ensure that digital content can be accessed for future use and research.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. In order to become a digital preservationist you must first obtain a bachelors degree in a field such as information science, library science, archiving, or computer science.
Obtain Certification. Many employers prefer to hire digital preservationists who have obtained certification from a recognized organization. The International Digital Preservation Network offers a Certified Digital Preservationist program.
Develop Technical Skills. To be successful in this field you must have an understanding of data formats and coding, experience with digital preservation software, and a knowledge of digital archiving techniques.
Gain Experience. You should gain experience in the field by volunteering or interning in an archival or library setting. You may also consider taking courses in digital curation, metadata management, and preservation technology.
Join Professional Organizations. Professional organizations such as the Society of American Archivists and the Association of Moving Image Archivists offer excellent networking opportunities and can provide valuable resources for digital preservationists.
Stay Updated. As technology evolves, digital preservationists must stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in order to remain competitive. Consider attending conferences, taking continuing education courses, and reading articles and blog posts related to the field.

The importance of staying up-to-date and capable as a digital preservationist cannot be overstated. Staying informed of the latest trends and technological advancements is essential for maintaining the highest level of security and accessibility for digital assets. Utilizing modern tools, such as digital asset management systems, cloud storage, and data encryption, helps to ensure that digital collections are protected against unauthorized access or accidental loss.

employing best practices like regular backups and regular software updates helps to ensure that technology remains up-to-date and capable of providing reliable long-term access to digital assets. By staying informed and implementing the latest tools and techniques, digital preservationists can ensure that digital collections remain secure and accessible for years to come.

You may want to check Cultural Resources Manager, Heritage Preservation Specialist, and Museum Registrar for alternative.

Job Description

Digital Archivist: Responsible for the appraisal, acquisition, organization, description, and preservation of digital collections.
Digital Objects Curator: Responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of digital objects, content, and collections.
Digital Preservation Specialist: Responsible for the assessment, selection, implementation, and maintenance of digital preservation systems and strategies.
Digital Preservation Analyst: Responsible for developing and implementing digital preservation policies and standards.
Digital Preservation Administrator: Responsible for managing the digital preservation infrastructure and services.
Digital Preservation Technician: Responsible for supporting the digital preservation systems and processes.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of digital preservation technologies and processes
Experience in digital asset management, data migration, and digital file formats
Understanding of archival standards, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Open Archival Information System (OAIS)
Ability to develop and implement digital preservation policies and procedures
Familiarity with metadata schema and standards, such as the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set
Competence in the use of hardware and software for digital asset preservation, including applications for optical media, magnetic media, and cloud storage, as well as backup strategies
Proficiency in risk management strategies for the long-term preservation of digital assets
Ability to use scripting languages, such as Python or JavaScript, to automate digital preservation tasks
Facility with digital media creation and manipulation software
Understanding of copyright and access rights management issues
Ability to collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure that digital assets are preserved and accessible

Digital preservation is an essential skill to have in the modern world, as technology continues to rapidly evolve. As many digital files, documents, and other media become increasingly vulnerable to potential data loss, it is critical for those who are responsible for preserving digital content to have the knowledge and expertise to effectively store and protect it. Digital preservationists utilize a range of techniques, such as migration, emulation, and virtualization, to ensure that digital information can be accessed and used in the future, even if the original software or hardware is no longer available.

they must be able to use data storage solutions such as cloud computing, tape storage, and digital repositories to ensure that digital information is secure and accessible. Digital preservationists play a vital role in keeping digital assets safe and available for future generations.

Historiographer, Historical Re-enactor, and Heritage Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with digital preservation processes?
How have you interpreted and implemented digital preservation best practices?
What strategies have you used to ensure digital preservation systems are secure and reliable?
What challenges have you faced when working with digital preservation projects?
How have you developed skills in digital asset management and metadata creation?
What methods do you use to monitor the long-term performance of digital preservation systems?
What techniques do you use to identify and prevent potential problems with digital asset storage and maintenance?
Describe a project where you successfully managed the migration of digital content to a new platform or system.
How do you stay up-to-date with changes in digital preservation technologies and trends?
What approaches do you use to ensure the integrity of digital objects over time?

Common Tools in Industry

Archivematica. Archivematica is an open-source digital preservation system that automates the process of ingesting, managing, and preserving digital objects. (Example: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History uses Archivematica to preserve their digital collections. )
Digital Preservation Network. The Digital Preservation Network (DPN) provides a platform for organizations to store, preserve, and access digital objects. (Example: The University of Michigan Library uses DPN to store and share their digital collections. )
BitCurator. BitCurator is a suite of open-source digital forensics tools for collecting and analyzing digital objects. (Example: The University of South Carolina uses BitCurator to analyze the data in their digital collections. )
Archive-It. Archive-It is a capture and access platform for collecting and preserving web content. (Example: The Library of Congress uses Archive-It to collect and preserve websites related to the United States government. )
Preservica. Preservica is a cloud-based digital preservation and archiving system. (Example: The British Library uses Preservica to archive and preserve their digital collections. )

Professional Organizations to Know

The Digital Preservation Coalition
The International Council on Archives
National Digital Stewardship Alliance
Digital Preservation Network
OCLC Research Library Partnership
The Library of Congress
International Internet Preservation Consortium
The Association for Library and Information Science
The Society of American Archivists
The American Library Association

We also have History Conservator, Librarian, and Exhibit Developer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Digital Preservation. The process of making sure digital objects remain accessible and usable in the future.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI). A unique code assigned to digital objects such as scholarly publications and datasets to help track its use and enable easy access.
Metadata. Information about a digital object, such as title, author, and date of publication.
Digital Curation. The process of actively managing digital content to ensure its authenticity, accuracy, and long-term usability.
Digital Forensics. The practice of using scientific techniques to identify, preserve, and analyze digital evidence for legal purposes.
Data Format Migration. The process of transferring data from one format to another to ensure its long-term preservation and usability.
Digital Rights Management (DRM). The process of protecting digital content from unauthorized use or distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Digital Preservationist do?

A Digital Preservationist is responsible for preserving digital information and records, such as websites, databases, documents, and multimedia. They use a variety of methods to ensure the long-term preservation of digital materials.

How long do Digital Preservationists work with digital materials?

Digital Preservationists can work with digital materials for as long as they remain relevant, typically a few years to decades. They also ensure that the digital materials are compatible with current and future technologies.

What qualifications are required to become a Digital Preservationist?

Most Digital Preservationists have a bachelor's degree in archiving, computer science, information science, or a related field. They often have experience working with digital archives and are familiar with information management systems.

What skills do Digital Preservationists need?

Digital Preservationists need strong technical skills, including proficiency in computer hardware and software, as well as knowledge of digital preservation standards and protocols. They should also have strong communication skills, as well as organizational and problem-solving abilities.

What tools do Digital Preservationists use?

Digital Preservationists use a variety of tools to preserve digital materials, such as migration software, archival storage solutions, and digital object identifiers (DOIs). They may also use tools such as database management systems and web application development platforms.