DIGITAL PRESERVATION: ISSUES AND CURRENT STATUS

Abstract

For several decades, preservation specialists have voiced concern over preservation of our cultural heritage in electronic form. Digital information is no less important than its analogue counterpart. Both require efforts to preserve the wealth that they contain. But, because electronic formats are mo re fragile and rely on technology that is constantly changing, the decisions that must be made about preservation must be considered sooner rather than later. It is in this context, that, this paper explores the issues surrounding the preservation of digital information and throws light on proposed strategies for digital longevity. This paper concludes that the need of hour is to create and develop valid documents in standard formats and adopt suitable methods to preserve data in digital format.