Digital Preservation: Will Your Files Stand the Test of Time?

Purpose Increasing amounts of the information in libraries are created and stored in digital formats. These files may or may not be accessible five or ten years from now. Design/methodology/approach Describes the steps we can take to minimize the danger of losing our data to the ravages of time. The aim of this article is to look at the vulnerabilities of various file formats and storage media, and offer practical advice for preservation planning. Findings The only protection libraries possess is planning. Originality/value Stresses the need to have a disaster recovery plan in place.