Session 3C | This Is the Way: Choosing the Right Digital Preservation Tools for Your Institution

Abstract

In Star Wars: The Mandalorian, titular character Din Djarin learns that there is no one way to be a Mandalorian. The rules and regulations he was raised to follow are one way, but there are many others who do not adhere to this path. Similarly, in the field of digital archives, there is no singular solution to preserve digital materials. Each institution has different needs, resources, and goals, and digital preservation practitioners must recognize that there are a variety of solutions to the challenges they face. This presentation will chart the course taken by UTA Libraries through the asteroid field of early-stage digital preservation efforts that eventually led us to select Preservica as our digital preservation solution. This overview is not intended to be a one-size-fits-all path towards digital preservation enlightenment, but a guide to help any institution choose the solution that best fits their needs.