The American Institute of Physics (AIP) has joined the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) this month, becoming the Coalition’s newest Associate Member. 
Founded in 1932, AIP believes in the power of the physical sciences to change the world. AIP’s mission is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. AIP is an institute and a federation. As a federation, AIP works to advance the success of our 10 physical sciences Member Societies which in turn support the work of more than 120,000 individual members across the globe. In addition to Member Societies, AIP has 20 Affiliates representing more than 300,000 scientists.
For more than seven decades AIP has supported and cultivated an interdisciplinary community of humanities and social science researchers focused on documenting and understanding the history of the physical sciences. At the heart of AIP’s research initiatives is the Niels Bohr Library and Archives. At the opening of the library in 1962, J. Robert Oppenheimer stressed that “the discoveries in the sciences are among the great epics, and they should be available in our tradition.” In the decades since, staff and fellows at AIP have worked to document, collect, preserve, and support interpretation of the history of the physical sciences.
“AIP is excited to join the Digital Preservation Coalition’s robust network of organizations and professionals,” says Trevor Owens, Chief Research Officer at AIP. “Ensuring access to records of 20th and 21st century science is a key area of focus in AIP’s research strategy. We are eager to build knowledge, partnerships, and participate in the development of digital preservation best practices.”
Anna Perricci, Head of DPC Americas is delighted with the news and welcomed AIP to the Coalition, saying: “As a leading institution empowering positive change in the physical sciences, AIP brings invaluable expertise in preserving and sharing scientific knowledge and direct connections to experts in the physical sciences. I am excited to be working together to ensure the long-term preservation of their valuable collections while sharing knowledge within the DPC membership."
The DPC is an international charitable foundation which supports digital preservation, helping its members around the world to deliver resilient long-term access to digital content and services through community engagement, targeted advocacy work, training and workforce development, capacity building, good practice and standards, and through good management and governance. Its vision is a secure digital legacy.
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Niels Bohr Library & Archives (virtual repository of digital collections)