Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Location: Home > Professional information > Digital preservation and archiving 
Download Adobe Reader

We have enabled our website to be used with Browsealoud software.

Digital preservation and archiving

PRONI strongroom Privately deposited record Touching up of records
Digitisation of documents.
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has a statutory responsibility for selecting, acquiring, preserving and maintaining access to records that form part of Northern Ireland's unique cultural heritage.  Traditionally, these activities have been paper based records.  However, Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) and wider Public Sector business needs have changed and, in order to support that change, PRONI has to be in a position to provide a digital archiving service.
The main driver so far has been the corporate NICS Electronic Document Records Management Implementation (EDRMI) project (now known as Records NI Opens a new browser window.) – the first transfer to, and ingest of these records by PRONI may be as early as 2010 (see also PRONI’s Digital Records Statement (28KB) Adobe PDF formatted document Opens a new browser window.).
In recognition of these drivers, the cross-departmental Electronic Records Access Working Group (ERAWG) was established and included an external expert from the UK National Archives Opens a new browser window..  Reporting to the eGovernment Board, the group recommended that a study should be carried out which would culminate in a business case and economic appraisal to meet the needs of the NICS.  The preparations for this business case are now in progress and are expected to be published in 2007.
It is recognised that, in line with international standards and practice, the creation and maintenance of a Trusted Digital Repository (TDR) will be necessary to meet the NICS and wider Public Sector requirements for long-term access to, and digital preservation of, all types of electronic records.  That repository would comprise both an interdisciplinary team - to develop policies and provide ongoing management - and the storage component.
Some sources for information and links to relevant institutions at the fore of digital preservation issues are as follows:
  • The Digital Preservation Coalition Opens a new browser window. (DPC)
    The DPC report entitled “Mind the Gap: Assessing digital preservation needs in the UK (900KB) Adobe PDF formatted document Opens a new browser window.” was launched on 15th February 2006 and is a valuable resource in the analysis of approaches to digital preservation by different sectors.

  • The UK National Archives: Digital preservation Section Opens a new browser window.
    TNA has already developed some useful tools and guidance in this area.

  • The Digital Curation Centre Opens a new browser window.
    “The scientific record and the documentary heritage created in digital form are at risk from technology obsolescence, from the fragility of digital media, and from lack of the basics of good practice, such as adequate documentation for the data.  Working with other practitioners, the Digital Curation Centre will support UK institutions who store, manage and preserve these data to help ensure their enhancement and their continuing long-term use.”