[Sigia-l] ERPANET Workshop: Long-term Preservation of Databases

[Monica Greenan]

ERPANET Workshop

Long-term Preservation of Databases

Bern, 9-11 April 2003


ERPANET is pleased to announce its workshop on the ‘Long-term Preservation
of Databases’. It will be held on the 9-11 April 2003 and is co-hosted by
the Swiss Federal Archives.



Focus


Databases have been, and continue to be, a key technology for the storage,
organisation, and interrogation of information. While the value of other
types of digital information has been highlighted in recent years, databases
and the information they contain have been sidelined. Their preservation is
of high concern as they are often either irreplaceable or of such value that
replacement would be prohibitively expensive.



The workshop will cover the entire process of database preservation:
selection, appraisal, preservation, description, and access. Technical
solutions will occupy an important place in the workshop and archival
requirements will also be addressed.



Different institutional approaches will be presented and key areas of
difficulty and success offered. Breakout sessions will focus on some of
these identified areas, and attempt to posit solutions and strategies for
this difficult challenge.



Who will benefit from attending?


Erpaworkshops are expert meetings to promote and develop new approaches to
preservation challenges. Participation is encouraged from specialists in the
archival, scientific, and IT spheres, and those with theoretical and/or
practical experience in the field of database preservation.



Programme


Wednesday 9 April   Opening (9 a.m.)

                    General introduction to the subject

                    Concrete solutions: approaches chosen, practical
experiences

Thursday 10 April   Specific topics: Selection, appraisal, description,
preservation

Friday 11 April     Access and reusability

                    Conclusions

                    Closing (around 12 p.m.)



Location


The workshop will take place at the Swiss Federal Archives, Bern,
Switzerland



Further information


Information about the finalised programme, speakers, social programme, and
registration will be sent out in February 2003.

www.erpanet.org

____________________________________________
Monica Greenan
ERPANET British Editor
Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute (HATII)
George Service House,
11 University Gardens,
University of Glasgow
Glasgow G12 8QJ
Scotland
Tel: +44(0)141 330 3549
Fax: +44(0)141 330 3788
http://www.erpanet.org