We Don’t Make Your Preservation Program, We Make Your Preservation Program BetterOpen Repositories 2015Greg Colati

Assistant University Librarian For Archives, Special Collections & Digital Curation

Jennifer Eustis

Digital Repository Content Administrator

Ridgefield Canning Centerhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:860021385

The Fun Starts HereThe CTDA is a program (not a repository) that enables owners to become better stewards through• Facilitated participation• Shared infrastructure• Local control of content• Coherent set of services• Collaborative development of the

programSavin Rock, CT

http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:12355

Connect: Participants and users interact with the repository and each other in various ways with as little interference from the CTDA as possible. Preserve: Preservation of access in whatever forms and schemas users require.Share: Facilitates sharing of content, but does not control or determine how, where, or why.

Make the Technology Invisible

Ownership vs. Stewardship• Participants retain ownership of all

content, metadata, derivatives• Participants bear the stewardship cost of

ownership.• CTDA subsidizes the financial cost of

preservation and technology infrastructure

Fourth Liberty Loanhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:947

What a Wonderful WorldThe CTDA demands from the participants no more than preservation requires; The CTDA provides to participants a means to do more, should they wish.

Book plate, Ercolini Collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859908328

Let a Thousand Flowers BloomWe are not the guardians of digital content.Non-judgmental regarding content and metadata. Everyone and everything is welcome:

Two requirements: that you have the right to deposit, and that the content is not malicious/destructive to the system.

We expect that we will make available as much “good” content in this way as the big brother approaches, AND we will preserve more “locally good” content.

Flower arrangementhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:199722502

Everybody in the Same Boat, Nobody Drilling

The CTDA relies on collaborations between and with participants, a constant give and take about content, needs, tools & initiatives.

One the one hand, initiatives from one help another partner and vice versa. Through collaborative effort a suite of tools can be offered as well as developed for the future.

On the other, partners have different needs. Approaches to digital preservation or information organization vary based on the needs of each partner and their user groups.

Launching the Balsto, Groton Iron Works, Noank, July 2, 1918http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:12134

Do Your Own ThingThis means not prescribing one way to organize, add, or manage content.

This means letting partners make their own decisions about organization of content and how to add and manage it.

Esso Service Center, Derby and Forrest Roads, New Havenhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:199702965

Service CatalogParticipants can select service(s) a la carte for long-term preservation of digital assets.• Participants may:

• Deposit Content• Access Content• Add and manage content

• CTDA provides at no cost:• Repository & Preservation services up to 500GB• Community Management services• End User support• System management support

• CTDA provides at cost:• Additional preservation storage• Channel (or independent site) services• Data curation services

Jerry’s Radio and TV Service, 628 Park Street Hartfordhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:9925

True Cost of Ownership is Stewardship

Instead of imposing the program’s ideas everyone, we welcome different approaches while educating participants about CTDA technologies and services.

Owners become stewards, considering the options of digital preservation and information organization.

Because there are so many options, stewards can often become lost, anxious, or paralyzed. Book plate depicting man hunched over at a blue desk

http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859908132

Teach the Children WellThe technical infrastructure imposes some structure. This does not affect how people organize or describe their content.We provide training and suggestions on the different options available to organize and describe content.Strategies must meet participants’ and their users’ needs.

Whigville 2 room schoolhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/30002:1515

By the BookPresenting strategies is not enough. Documenting processes, options, and the basics of adding and managing content are essential.

This documentation evolves and becomes more varied as well as focused to meet diverse needs.

Map of Voluntown, ca. 1737http://hdl.handle.net/11134/30002:1897

Practice Makes PerfectEducation and documentation are still not enough. It’s necessary to have hands on training and practice in a sandbox. Encourage experimentation and developing strategies as much or more than learning how to follow a procedure.

Army Specialized Training Reserve Program (ASTRP)http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:860025572

Reach Out and Touch SomeoneParticipants are people too. Learning their stories helps understand who they are, their goals and why they choose the CTDA for the long-term preservation of their digital assets.Some will share their experiences. Others will work silently in the background. Keep in touch through email, ticketing system, workshops, participant consultations, and by phone.

Telephone (dial)http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859919962

Policies: A Collaborative Effort The goal of policies is to ensure a governance that is fair to all parties and trustworthy. Policies also need to take into account the future of the CTDA and its ability to maintain services now and in the future.Though hosted by the University of Connecticut Libraries, the CTDA has an active Advisory Committee.

Bookplate by Bertha Gorsthttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859909675

Accept the Challenge• Balance between being participant

centered and program centered• Time management• Handling change• Avoiding not having enough services

• Participants don’t always:• Want options• Know their users• Understand technology

• An image is worth a 1000 words – make sure they’re yours Israel Putnam Duels a British Officer

http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:11039

Warm Up the Bus• Leave repository thinking behind: it’s

the program not the tool that matters• Minimize monolithic thinking• A-la-carte services require flexibility,

extensibility, time, and effort• Learn to be non-judgmental• Unravel the urge to control• Participant centered services can be

empowering for everyone• There is no right answer to strategies

and information organization• Challenge assumptions--even your own

Women leaving Willimantic Train Stationhttp://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:860018173

Credits• Ridgefield Canning Center: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:860021385 • Savin Rock, CT: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:12355 • Fourth Liberty Loan: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:947 • Book plate, Ercolini Collection: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859908328 • Flower arrangement: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:199722502 • Launching the Balsto, Groton Iron Works, Noank, July 2, 1918: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:12134 • Esso Service Center, Derby and Forrest Roads, New Haven: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:199702965 • Jerry’s Radio and TV Service, 628 Park Street Hartford: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:9925 • Book plate depicting man hunched over at a blue desk: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859908132 • Whigville 2 room school: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/30002:1515 • Map of Voluntown, ca. 1737: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/30002:1897 • Army Specialized Training Reserve Program (ASTRP): http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:860025572 • Telephone (dial): http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859919962 • Bookplate by Bertha Gorst: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:859909675 • Israel Putnam Duels a British Officer: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:11039 • Women leaving Willimantic Train Station: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/20002:860018173