Archival Digital Preservation Programs: Staffing, Costs, and Policy

A three-part longitudinal research study- conducted from 1999-2007-gathered information on management practices in national archives that were developing digital preservation programs. In the first two rounds, data was collected from surveys and interviews. The third round was an in-depth case study conducted at the National Archives of Australia (Sanett 2008). Three core areas of practice in the emerging digital preservation programs were selected for further exploration after the first round: staffing, costs, and policy. Generally, the data indicated that these three areas remained underdeveloped in archival digital preservation programs. This article discusses results of the study and is an overview of what has changed in these areas since the study ended in 2007.