The DPC invites you to join a briefing on repository migration: from choosing an application with a robust exit strategy to extracting valuable data from legacy systems. The day will feature speakers from various institutions, as well as demonstrations by a selection of repository vendors. In the afternoon, participants will join in a workshop session to explore and exchange approaches with other practitioners.
Description
Digital repositories are a safe place to hold our endangered digital assets. They help us manage our content effectively and keep it for the long term.
Or do they?
Like all other data and all other software, digital repository applications have a finite lifespan. So what does it mean to migrate from one repository to another? What are the pitfalls? What are the lessons learned from our community? And when do we need to start preparing for this potentially traumatic repository migration? (Hint: we should already have started).
Some of us at the frontier of the digital preservation community established digital repositories some time ago. Many of these applications are beginning to reach the end of life. Large scale repository migrations are imminent.
Those who have joined the community more recently have been able to take advantage of the growing market in repository applications but are typically facing the challenge of migrating data from other legacy content management systems.
Those coming more recently to the table, and looking to establish a digital repository, already need to be thinking about a smooth exit strategy, even if it might be a decade away. This seemingly niche topic has the potential to be critical for all of us.
This event will explore a number of perspectives on the repository migration problem. We'll learn from those with experience of performing significant migrations. We'll engage with our repository vendors, discuss our requirements and consider how repository applications can best meet them.
We'll sound out different approaches to getting important data out of legacy repositories and management systems. And we'll examine what we need to do across the lifecycle of a repository to ease the transition during its last days.
This topic touches on technology, metadata, standards, process, and perhaps most importantly, how our staff negotiate this potential minefield of repository transition.
Participants at the workshop will:
- Learn about the experiences of other institutions who have gone through the procurement process for a new repository system
- Learn about the experiences of other institutions who have tackled the challenge of gathering information about legacy systems and the content held in them
- Learn about how the open source repository community is preparing for major software upgrades
- Compare the exit strategies / features of the repository applications offered by market leading vendors
- Engage with other participants and speakers through a practical exercise discussing strategies for repository migration
Who should come?
This workshop will interest:
- Archivists, librarians, curators or data managers with digital collections
- Digital preservation specialists and repository managers
- Chief information officers or chief technology officers of agencies with needs for long-term data retention
- Information professionals interested in new developments in digital preservation and community engagement
- IT professionals with a focus on digital preservation
Programme
10.00 Registration, Tea & Coffee
10.30 Welcome
10.40 Chris Fryer, Parliamentary Archives
11.00 Adele Tamar, Parliamentary Archives
11.20 Edith Halvarsson & James Mooney, Bodleian
11.50 Matthew Addis, Arkivum
12.10 Jon Tilbury, Preservica
12.30 Erin Tripp, Duraspace
13.15 Lunch
1400 Tom Storrar, The National Archives UK
14.20 Alex Green, The National Archives UK
14.30 Introduction to Practical Workshop
14.40 Practical Workshop in Breakout Groups (Tea & Coffee served)
15.40 Feedback and discussion
16.30 Close
Follow the event on Twitter using #dpcrepo18
DPC Members and Supporters please login to watch the recordings
How to register?
Places are strictly limited and should be booked in advance. Registration will close one week before the event and early booking is recommended as we expect these events will be popular. Registration is free for DPC members and £275 for non-members.
There is a limit of 3 places per member (incl. consortia and membership organisations) and these will be available on a 'first come, first served' basis. Additional registrations will be accepted but will be placed on the wait list until registration closes a week before the event, at which time they will be distributed equally amongst members. To check if your organisation qualifies for free attendance, please check the DPC Member List. If you have any questions about registration please contact Sara Day Thomson (sara.thomson[at]dpconline.org).
The briefing days usually fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended. DPC members can claim their free place by entering the promotional code DPCMEMBER. Cancellations will be accepted until one week before the event, a 'no show' fee of £275 will be charged for those who cancel after this time.
Can't make it in person?
Parts of this event will be broadcast live on the day and recordings shared on the DPC website page for Members (login required).