Australian-created electronic information: preservation issues and guidelines

Abstract

Electronic information is more volatile than hardcopy forms, and also relies on the existence of suitable hardware to use it. In Australia the Electronic Record Project of the Australian Archives, and the ACLIS Task Force on the Preservation of Australian Electronic Information have been investigating the issues arising from these characteristics. The ACLIS Task Force made an initial list of the existing kinds of electronic information and ranked them according to their overall vulnerability and importance. Authors' work in progress; cartographic records; and training and educational software were identified as the records most important to preserve. ACLIS has publicised the need for preservation of these kinds of records and has prepared basic guidelines. Keeping pace with change has been a challenge. For example networked communication systems, and CD-Rom have both developed dramatically since the Task Force's inception. The responsibility for preservation of Australian electronic information lies with libraries, archives and possibly museums. If these groups do not meet the challenge, progressively larger portions of our heritage will be lost.