Databases
The preservation of databases poses unique problems compared to other digital formats. There are many types of databases and each is unique in its data, application and management. Dynamically generated databases pose further problems as the data within them changes frequently. Database preservation options include converting databases to XML or migrating databases to new systems.
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- Automating Online Delivery of Database Content : an Open-Source XML- Based Alternative
Berko, Monica; Wong, David
(Date Created: Jul 2005)
- One of the goals of the Deep Web working group of the IIPC (International Internet Preservation Consortium) was to develop a web-based access tool to search and navigate structured data archives, stored as XML, which are the long-term preservation copies of deposited databases and document archives. This paper describes the development of a public domain tool to provide access to archived databases. It describes the background and search for this type of software and examines several alternatives, including Xing and Xedit.
- http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/aw05/papers/refereed/berko/paper.html
- Paper presented at the Ausweb Conference, July 2-5, 2005 at the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Database Archiving
Müller, Heiko
(Date Created: 02 Feb 2009)
- This DCC Briefing paper explains the short-term benefits and long-term value of database archiving, considers the issues and links to additional resources.
- http://www.dcc.ac.uk/resource/briefing-papers/database-archiving/
- Database Preservation : The International Challenge and the Swiss Solution
Bernstein, Amir
(Date Created: 07 Nov 2008)
(Switzerland)
- This Digital Preservation Europe (DPE) briefing paper introduces Software Independent Archiving of Relational Databases (SIARD) which has been developed by the Swiss Federal Archives, and is an XML format which permits long-term preservation of the relational databases content, metadata and relations in an ISO content format.
- http://www.digitalpreservationeurope.eu/publications/briefs/database_p
reservation.pdf
- Digital Preservation Europe Briefing Paper
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Database Preservation Issues
Verdegem, Remco
(Date Created: 2003)
(Netherlands)
- This paper, based on the the work of the Digital Preservation Testbed, was presented at the ERPANET workshop on Long-term preservation of databases in Bern, Switzerland in April 2003. The progress in developing strategies for database preservation is discussed within the context of migration, emulation and in particular, XML conversions. XML, identified as an approach in its own right, is compared to alternate strategies. The Digital Preservation Testbed's XML conversion tool and schema is considered.
- http://www.digitaleduurzaamheid.nl/bibliotheek/docs/longterm_preservat
ion_of_databases.pdf
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ERPANET Workshop - The Long Term Preservation of Databases : ERPANET Workshop Report
ERPANET (Electronic Resource Preservation and Access Network)
(Date Created: Dec 2003)
(Switzerland)
- Report of the workshop held at the Swiss Federal Archives, Bern, April 9-11, 2003.
- http://www.erpanet.org/events/2003/bern/Bern_Report_final.pdf
- Keeping Electronic Records Accessible : How the Federal Archives of Germany Preserves the Digital Heritage of the German Democratic Republic : a Case Study
Hanger, Andrea
(Date Created: May 2006)
(Germany)
- The author introduces this case study by generally discussing the issues for the Federal Archives of Germany in the acquisition, preservation, accessibility, authenticity and reliability of electronic records. The case study which considers factors affecting the preservation of 200 data sets created in the German Democratic Republic between 1970 and 1990 and now stored in the Federal Archives of Germany digital repository. It is used to illustrate the importance of archivists being involved early in the record life cycle to encourage data producers to supply complete and accurate documentation and comprehensive audit trails. The author also concludes that METS may be a good way to preserve records over the long term.
- http://archiwa.gov.pl/images/stories/file/7th-ecaa/A_Hanger_Keeping_El
ectronic_Records.pdf
- Paper presented at the 7th European Conference on Archives, Warsaw, 18-20 May, 2006
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Preservation of Databases
Ashley, Kevin
(Date Created: Jun 2004)
- This article provides an overview of the underlying concepts as well as issues facing institutions undertaking long term preservation of databases. Specifics of various types of databases such as dynamic and static systems are briefly discussed. Unique issues pertaining to proprietary GIS systems such as the lack of standards in storing data are also canvassed. Two technical approaches to preservation are discussed, XML and emulation.
- http://oberon.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/03055720410551075
- Also available in pdf version and in VINE, Digital Preservation and Libraries, Part Two Vol. 34, no. 2, 2004, pp. 66-70. ISSN 0305-5728
- Preservation of Public Sector Datasets
Archives New Zealand
(Date Created: 30 Jun 2009)
(New Zealand)
- This report (35 p.) outlines the issues involved with preserving public sector datasets over time. The findings result from interviews with a number of New Zealand public sector organisations about their dataset holdings. It discusses current international archival approaches to the preservation of datasets and includes recommendations for Archives New Zealand.
- http://continuum.archives.govt.nz/preservation-public-sector-datasets.
html
- Ver. 3.1
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Preserving Electronic Records From Database-Driven Information Systems
Boudrez, Filip
In: DigiCULT.Info Newsletter
(Date Created: Oct 2003)
(Belgium)
- The DAVID Project (Digital Archiving in Flemish Institutions and Administrations) has developed “an electronic record-keeping system for dynamic and interactive information systems”. This article examines its implementation at the City Archives of Antwerp (the archival partner in the DAVID Project) and looks at the main structure, principles and concepts of the record-keeping system for both dynamically created records and office documents such as spreadsheets and emails; XML preservation of records and metadata.
- http://www.digicult.info/downloads/digicultinfo_issue5_october_2003.pd
f
- Relational Database Preservation through XML Modelling
Castro, Rui; Faria, Louis; Ferreira, Miguel; Ramalho, José Carlos
(Date Created: Aug 2007)
- This paper given at Extreme Markup Languages 2007 (7-10 August 2007, Montreal Quebec) describes the process of ingesting a relational database by migrating the original database to an XML representation. This representation (DBML- database markup language) was defined according to requirements to preserve the database content, structure and attributes.
- http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/7120/1/EML2007-final
.pdf
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- Digital Curation Centre (DCC) and Electronic Resource Preservation and Access Network (ERPANET) Joint Workshop on the Long-term Curation of Medical Databases
13 - 14 Oct 2005
, Gulbenkian Institute, Lisbon
(Portugal)
- Presentations on curating medical databases are available from the DCC website.
- http://www.dcc.ac.uk/events/mdb-2005/
- EDBT 2006 : International Conference on Extending Database Technology
26 - 30 Mar 2006
, Muenchner Künstlerhaus, Munich
(Germany)
- The conference proceedings Advances in Database Technology -- EDBT 2006
are available from Springer Online, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol 4254. Topics of interest include data curation and provenance, data preservation and digital libraries, museums and archives.
- http://edbt2006.in.tum.de/
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Policies, Strategies & Guidelines
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From Digital Volatility to Digital Permanence : Preserving Databases
Testbed Digitale Bewaring
(Date Created: Dec 2003)
(Netherlands)
- The Testbed Digitale Bewaring has released its final recommendations on the long term preservation strategy for databases. This publication discusses charateristics of databases, requirements for retaining authenticity plus a comparison of preservation strategies including migration encoding and emulation. It concludes that the conversion of databases to XML is the most suitable preservation strategy. This contains sections targeted towards specific groups such as managers, IT specialists and end users for implementation of preservation strategies. A decision model, cost model and functional requirements are also included.
- ISBN: 9080775819
- http://www.digitaleduurzaamheid.nl/bibliotheek/docs/volatility-permane
nce-databases-en.pdf
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Projects and Case Studies
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- Keeping Electronic Records Accessible : How the Federal Archives of Germany Preserves the Digital Heritage of the German Democratic Republic : a Case Study
Hanger, Andrea
(Date Created: May 2006)
(Germany)
- The author introduces this case study by generally discussing the issues for the Federal Archives of Germany in the acquisition, preservation, accessibility, authenticity and reliability of electronic records. The case study which considers factors affecting the preservation of 200 data sets created in the German Democratic Republic between 1970 and 1990 and now stored in the Federal Archives of Germany digital repository. It is used to illustrate the importance of archivists being involved early in the record life cycle to encourage data producers to supply complete and accurate documentation and comprehensive audit trails. The author also concludes that METS may be a good way to preserve records over the long term.
- http://archiwa.gov.pl/images/stories/file/7th-ecaa/A_Hanger_Keeping_El
ectronic_Records.pdf
- Paper presented at the 7th European Conference on Archives, Warsaw, 18-20 May, 2006
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- XINQ
(Date Created: 2005)
- Purpose: Developed by the National Library of Australia, Xinq ( XML Archive InquiryTool) is a web based search and browse tool for accessing an XML database. Xinq is implemented using standards-based and open-source technologies including XSLT, XQuery, JSP and Java Servlet technologies. The current version is 0.4.0 (October 21, 2005)
Download: http://sourceforge.net/projects/xinq/
- http://www.nla.gov.au/xinq/
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- XINQ
(Date Created: 2005)
- Purpose: Developed by the National Library of Australia, Xinq ( XML Archive InquiryTool) is a web based search and browse tool for accessing an XML database. Xinq is implemented using standards-based and open-source technologies including XSLT, XQuery, JSP and Java Servlet technologies. The current version is 0.4.0 (October 21, 2005)
Download: http://sourceforge.net/projects/xinq/
- http://www.nla.gov.au/xinq/
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