Digital Preservation at the University of Aveiro: Strategies and Challenges

Abstract

In a scenario of proliferating digital content, digital preservation presents significant challenges to ensure long-term access and usability (Digital Preservation Coalition, 2015). In this regard, the University of Aveiro (UA) has been developing a Digital Preservation Plan (DPP) over the last two years to ensure the longevity, authenticity and accessibility of its digital resources. This article presents an overview of digital preservation strategies and challenges, focusing on the use of open-source technologies such as Archivematica and Atom. It highlights the implementation of workflows for ingesting digital objects, from acquisition to access, in accordance with the ISO-OAIS functional model. The UA DPP identifies and characterizes the digital information produced, categorizing it according to operational needs and assigning retention periods. It determines procedures to avoid technological obsolescence and clarifies responsibilities within the organization. A significant innovation is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the transcription of audiovisual archives, optimizing access to and discovery of information. This approach makes it easier to search and analyze large volumes of audiovisual content, making it more accessible and usable. The plan also addresses the management of organizational change, assigning new responsibilities and allocating them to the various players in the digital preservation process. It concludes that the integration of open-source technologies and the adoption of good practices are fundamental if the PPD is to ensure the transmission of the knowledge produced, both now and in the future. This effort guarantees access through curation, fulfils legal responsibilities and contributes to building the institution's collective and social memory.