The text emphasises the importance of digital preservation in ensuring the long-term usability, authenticity, and accessibility of digital information. It highlights the need for institutions to develop and implement digital preservation policies and plans to safeguard valuable heritage data from potential loss due to technological issues.
Tools like PLATO are instrumental in assisting organisations in making informed decisions regarding digital preservation strategies. These policies and plans play a crucial role in identifying processes, responsible parties, content types, funding sources, and evaluation methods to maintain the integrity of digital collections. National initiatives such as the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) in the United States are dedicated to preserving digital materials for future generations.
The text also underscores the significance of digital objects in facilitating information access and their adaptability to meet diverse user needs. It stresses the importance of focusing not only on preserving bits but also on translation and compilation processes to overcome physical degradation of digital objects.
Overall, the text highlights the evolving landscape of digital preservation, the necessity of strategic planning, and the role of technology in ensuring the continued availability and usability of digital information in various sectors of society.
