Discover iPRES 2024: The Future of Digital Preservation Unveiled

Discover iPRES 2024: The Future of Digital Preservation Unveiled

Unlocking the Power of Series: A Game-Changing Approach to Digital Preservation

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital preservation, organizations are constantly seeking innovative strategies to safeguard their valuable information assets. The Flemish Government has taken a bold step forward by introducing the concept of “series” as a fundamental pillar of their digital preservation framework. This game-changing approach promises to revolutionize the way we manage and preserve our digital heritage.

The series concept, as defined in the Decree on Governance of December 7th, 2018, is a “grouping of the same kind of administrative information created or received by the same governing body within the same process.” This simple yet profound idea has the potential to transform the way we approach digital preservation, offering a more scalable and efficient solution.

One of the key advantages of the series approach is its ability to streamline the appraisal process. Instead of imposing retention and destruction rules at the file or record level, the series concept allows for these decisions to be made at a higher, more comprehensive level. This means that an entire set of related files or records can be appraised and assigned a retention period as a single entity, drastically reducing the time and effort required to manage digital assets.

The Flemish Government has taken this a step further by establishing a centralized Series Register, a web-based application that serves as a hub for all government entities to publish and manage their series. This register not only ensures consistency in retention periods and appraisal choices across the various government bodies, but it also enhances accessibility and transparency for the public.

“The biggest advantage gained from this concept, is that rules on appraisal are not imposed upon file or record level, but upon series level. As a result, information is already given a retention period and appraised at a high level.”

The benefits of the series approach extend beyond the Flemish Government’s own operations. Local governments, in particular, have been quick to embrace this innovative concept. By utilizing the functionality to copy published series from other local governments, smaller municipalities that may not have the resources to maintain a dedicated archivist or information manager can still effectively manage their digital records.

The implementation of the Series Register has been a remarkable success story. Since its launch in 2020, the number of published series has grown exponentially, with a record-breaking number of newly published series in the first quarter of 2024 alone. This upward trend reflects the growing recognition and adoption of the series concept across Flanders.

But the series approach is not limited to the Series Register. Its versatility allows for integration into various digital preservation workflows and platforms, including digital repositories and SharePoint environments. By aligning the series metadata with these systems, organizations can ensure consistent management of their digital assets, from storage and archiving to access and destruction.

“The implementation of series in a digital repository, SharePoint, or a document system are interesting ways to take document management to a higher level in an organization.”

However, the true power of the series concept lies in its ability to empower and educate the end-users – the employees who create and work with the digital records on a daily basis. By making the series metadata accessible and understandable to all, organizations can ensure that their employees are equipped to manage their digital information effectively, adhering to the established retention periods and appraisal choices.

The Flemish Government’s Agency for Facility Operations has pioneered innovative approaches to raise awareness and integrate the series concept into the daily workflows of their employees. From custom SharePoint sites that display the essential series metadata to the introduction of an AI-powered chatbot assistant, these initiatives have successfully bridged the gap between the technical aspects of digital preservation and the practical needs of end-users.

As the world continues to grapple with the exponential growth of digital information, the Flemish Government’s series-based approach to digital preservation offers a compelling and scalable solution. By centralizing the management of digital records, streamlining the appraisal process, and empowering end-users, this innovative framework paves the way for a more sustainable and effective digital preservation strategy.

Closer to Van Eyck: Unveiling the Secrets of a Masterpiece

In the realm of cultural heritage, the digital preservation landscape has also seen remarkable advancements, particularly in the area of high-resolution imaging and interactive web applications. One shining example is the “Closer to Van Eyck” initiative, which provides unprecedented access to the stunning Ghent Altarpiece, one of the most significant works of art in the world.

The Ghent Altarpiece, created by the renowned artists Hubert and Jan van Eyck in 1432, is a complex and captivating masterpiece housed in St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium. Thanks to a collaboration between the Getty Foundation, the Flemish government, and the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA), this remarkable work of art has undergone a meticulous conservation process, and the results have been immortalized in the “Closer to Van Eyck” web application.

“The enhanced documentation now available through ‘Closer to Van Eyck’ brings even greater access to the genius of the artists that will both delight viewers and inspire new scholarship.”

The website, which launched in 2012 and has recently received major updates, now offers users an unparalleled level of access to the altarpiece. Visitors can explore the work in stunning detail, zooming in to reveal the intricate brushstrokes and marveling at the vibrant colors that have been preserved over centuries.

The “Closer to Van Eyck” website features a wealth of technical imaging data, including visible light, infrared, infrared reflectograph, and X-radiograph scans of the panels. This comprehensive documentation not only delights viewers but also provides invaluable resources for art historians and researchers, enabling them to gain deeper insights into the creation and evolution of this masterpiece.

“We are convinced that through direct comparison of the closed ensemble or details before and after overpaint removal, art professionals and amateurs alike will be startled by the spectacular result of this intervention.”

The website’s interactive features allow users to adjust a timeline and view key moments in the conservation process, witnessing the remarkable transformation as the centuries-old overpaint was carefully removed, revealing the original brilliance of Van Eyck’s brushwork. This level of access and transparency is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the conservation team, as well as the Flemish government’s commitment to preserving and sharing their cultural heritage with the world.

The “Closer to Van Eyck” initiative is a shining example of how digital preservation can unlock the secrets of the past and bring them into the present. By leveraging advanced imaging technologies and creating an intuitive, user-friendly web application, this project has made the Ghent Altarpiece more accessible than ever before, inspiring both art enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Advancing Digital Preservation through Collaboration and Innovation

The success stories of the Flemish Government’s Series Register and the “Closer to Van Eyck” initiative are a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the field of digital preservation. These projects demonstrate that by embracing new technologies, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, and prioritizing user-centric approaches, organizations can revolutionize the way they safeguard their digital legacies.

As the world continues to grapple with the ever-increasing volume and complexity of digital information, it is crucial that the digital preservation community remains at the forefront of innovation. The upcoming iPRES 2024 conference, a premier event in the field, promises to be a dynamic platform for showcasing the latest advancements and fostering meaningful dialogue.

“Preserving and ensuring access to operational knowledge is essential for future users of emulation technologies.”

One particularly exciting area of focus at iPRES 2024 will be the preservation of operational knowledge for emulation technologies. As digital collections continue to expand, incorporating a wide range of legacy software and hardware, the need to capture and document the expertise of experienced users has become increasingly critical.

Researchers and practitioners are exploring innovative approaches to automatically capture and analyze user interactions within emulated environments, transforming these recordings into searchable, abstract, and ultimately machine-actionable representations. By leveraging computer vision, large language models, and other cutting-edge technologies, the digital preservation community is working to ensure that the operational knowledge of today’s experts can be seamlessly passed on to future generations.

“Ideally, the documented knowledge should be actionable for users as well as automated systems that can support them in carrying out their tasks.”

These advancements in emulation and operational knowledge preservation hold the potential to revolutionize the way digital collections are accessed and utilized. By providing context-aware guidance and the ability to automate common tasks, these solutions can significantly reduce the barriers faced by researchers and end-users when engaging with legacy software and hardware.

As the digital preservation landscape continues to evolve, the Flemish Government’s Series Register and the “Closer to Van Eyck” initiative serve as inspiring examples of how innovative thinking, collaboration, and a user-centric approach can transform the way we safeguard our digital heritage. With the upcoming iPRES 2024 conference poised to showcase the latest breakthroughs in the field, the future of digital preservation has never been more promising.

Conclusion: Embracing the Digital Preservation Revolution

The digital preservation landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the visionary work of organizations like the Flemish Government and the collaborative efforts of the international digital preservation community. The introduction of the series concept, the creation of centralized repositories, and the development of advanced imaging and emulation technologies are just a few of the groundbreaking advancements that are reshaping the way we approach the preservation of our digital assets.

As we look towards the future, the iPRES 2024 conference promises to be a pivotal moment, showcasing the latest innovations and fostering the exchange of ideas that will propel the field of digital preservation forward. By embracing these new technologies and collaborative approaches, organizations can ensure that their digital legacies are not only safeguarded but also accessible, engaging, and transformative for generations to come.

The success stories highlighted in this article – the Flemish Government’s Series Register and the “Closer to Van Eyck” initiative – serve as inspirational beacons, demonstrating the power of innovation, user-centricity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These exemplary projects have not only revolutionized their respective domains but have also paved the way for a more sustainable and impactful digital preservation landscape.

“By embracing these new technologies and collaborative approaches, organizations can ensure that their digital legacies are not only safeguarded but also accessible, engaging, and transformative for generations to come.”

As the digital preservation community continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, the future holds immense promise. From the automation of operational knowledge preservation to the seamless integration of emulation technologies into everyday workflows, the digital preservation revolution is well underway, and the impact will be far-reaching.

Local Builder London is proud to be a part of this exciting journey, sharing the inspiring stories and cutting-edge advancements that are transforming the way we safeguard our digital heritage. By staying informed and engaging with the latest developments in the field, our readers can become active participants in this digital preservation revolution, shaping the future of our shared digital legacy.

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