Managing data growth from audiovisual digitisation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: A case study

Abstract

Using available library conservation and preservation survey data, this paper examines the rising trend toward digitising audiovisual materials for preservation at academic libraries, and the subsequent need for digital preservation services for such data. As a related case study, this paper explores challenges resulting from a large-scale audiovisual digitisation project at the University of North Carolina’s Southern Folklife Collection (SFC). Knowing that the digitisation of priority audiovisual formats at the SFC would result in 95 TB of content over the span of three years, and that conflicting timelines existed with the university’s institutional repository, SFC staff began working closely with the university’s Library & Information Technology department to develop a temporary digital storage environment. In response to this work, and increasing, concurrent digital acquisitions at the library, considerable lessons were learned and needs were gathered for improving digital preservation strategies.