Have you identified preservation formats for your content?

An important decision for an organization to make is “What file formats will be preserved?” This will change over time as your digital content grows, technology changes, and recommended file formats are updated. By starting with an inventory of your digital content your organization can develop a list of file formats created or kept.

Determine what content you will preserve using your digital preservation and collection development policies. Check with your digital preservation storage system or service provider for recommendations or requirements. Starting with the list of file formats from an inventory of digital content check if they match the preservation format for your content. If your digital content is not currently in the identified preservation format you can start a plan to do this.

Question for your team/organization: Do you know what preservation formats are recommended for your digital content? TDL members contact TDL for more information and assistance. 

Sources: Using approaches developed by and for the Digital Preservation Management (DPM) Workshop curriculum and resources. See the resources below for additional information, examples, and current information. 

Related Resources:

• Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

• Recommended Formats Statement - Resources (Preservation, Library of Congress)

• TDL: Format policies

_{This is a joint initiative between TDL Digital Preservation Services and the Digital Preservation Management (DPM) Workshop and Global Archivist LLC. Dr. Nance McGovern 2024.}

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