A born-digital archiving model grounded in collaboration and automation

Abstract

Born-digital archival collections have proven an emergent challenge for repositories, often bucking traditional infrastructures and approaches. At Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library, recent born-digital archival work engages known gaps, resulting in a case study on technologies and procedures. Since 2013, Schlesinger has used digital forensics technology and custom tools to convert and retain borndigital materials in narrow content types using an expansive and enduring preservation repository system. Over 18 months in 2023 and 2024, archivists and librarians at Schlesinger collaboratively refined a born-digital archiving model that leverages digital forensics technology, collaborative processing tactics, custom scripting, existing repository tools and a new virtual reading room. Starting from evidence-based methods in digital forensics and digital preservation, Schlesinger’s current born-digital operational scheme is further grounded in collaboration and automation. Developments in Schlesinger’s approach to born-digital archiving have resulted in successes and new challenges. This case study begins by summarising groundwork in born-digital archiving practice and the genesis of a formal digital archives programme at Schlesinger. The following sections walk through the current state of Schlesinger’s practices for born-digital capture, processing, post-processing, access and preservation, including references to recent collections and the methods employed. A concluding section will reflect on the advantages offered by the preceding efforts and address the challenges that shape the work ahead.