Digital preservation strategies

Abstract

This study examines digital preservation strategies in national information centres in Nigeria. Specifically the study tried to find out the digital preservation strategies and structures put in place for the implementation of the strategies adopted. The population of the study consists of the National Library of Nigeria, the National Archives of Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics. A case study and qualitative methodology approaches were adopted for the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to a focused group of five staff of the digital preservation/digitization unit of the population. The study discovered, among others, that migration is the most popular digital preservation strategy adopted and no structure to assess digital objects for preservation action is put in place. The study recommended that a National Centre for Digital Preservation, responsible for monitoring and conducting research in digital preservation activities, should be established.