Transcript The Current Situation and Development of Digital

The Current Situation and
Development of Digital
Preservation in China
Jianhai Ruan
Visiting Scholar of GSLIS
Outline
1. Why Digital Preservation in China?
2. The Status of digital preservation in China
3. Activities of Digital Preservation in China
4. The Comparison of Digital Preservation
between USA and China
5. The Thinking of Digital Preservation in
China
Why Digital Preservation?
☆China
Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC)
Releases the 23nd Statistical Report on the Internet
Development in China (January 13, 2009) .
☆According to the newly released Statistical Repot by
China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC):
 By the end of December 2008, the amount of netizens in China had
reached 298 million, it is the first place in the world.
 This report indicates the number of broadband users has reached
270 million, which also tops the world.
 The CNNIC also announced that, by the time of December 31,2008,
the number of CN domain names, which was 13.57 million, is the
largest country code Top-Level Domain names in the world.
 The size of netizens in China has continued to display the trend of
rapid development.
Growth of Netizens in China
 Source: China Internet Network Information Center
China Internet Network Information Center:
http://www.cnnic.cn/en/index/
Internet Penetration Rate in China
 Source: China Internet Network Information Center
China Internet Network Information Center: http://www.cnnic.cn/en/index/
Why Digital Preservation?
☆The universal impact of digital information
environment
 the development of the Internet and new
information technologies propelled people’s
lives into the digital epoch.
People live in two worlds at the present time: the
real world and the virtual world.
The Internet is a vast virtual world. People can
do everything what people do in real world on
Internet.
digital societies have emerged and digital
communities have formed of E-government, Elearning, E-business and E-service.
Why Digital Preservation?
☆The universal impact of digital information
environment
 Digital Life:
Computer and Internet are common tools
of people’s working, living, and studying.
Digital camera, digital camcorder, cell
phone, scanner, and GPS provide people
much pleasure and convenient.
Online communities.
Online games.
Why Digital Preservation?
☆Vast quantities of information in digital form
 “Born-digital”:
Text, Images, Audio, Video, Web pages, Computer
programs, Databases are produced, exchanged, and
used in a variety of settings.
 Electronic publishing: (includes the digital publication
of e-books and electronic articles, and the
development of digital libraries and catalogues.)
Publication in print version and digital version.
Electronic publishing is increasingly popular in works
of fiction as well as with scientific articles.
Publication in digital-only version.
A number of journals have established electronic
versions or even moved entirely to electronic
publication.
Why Digital Preservation?
☆Vast quantities of information in digital form
 Large-Scale Digitalization:
The paper materials are scanned and
converted into digital form.
For instance:
① CALIS (China Academic Library & Information
System):
●The dissertation database subproject;
●The special subject databases subproject.
②CADAL (China-US Million Book Digital Library
Project):
http://www.cadal.zju.edu.cn/
Large-Scale Digitization
The goal of the Library's Large-Scale
Digitization is to convert the Library's print
collection into digital form in support of the
library's long-standing commitment to
make its collections broadly available.
The digitization of information resources is
a pattern of the preservation of paper
literatures.
Collections grid
stewardship
high
Books
Journals
low
high
Special
collections
Freely-accessible
web resources
uniqueness
Newspapers
Gov. docs
CD, DVD
Maps
Scores
low
Rare books
Local/Historical
newspapers
Local history materials
Archives & Manuscripts,
Theses & dissertations
Open source software
Newsgroup archives
Research and learning
materials
•ePrints/tech reports
•Learning objects
•Courseware
•E-portfolios
•Research data
Cited from: Lorcan Dempsey “Terms and conditions ... libraries, subject
terminologies and the web 2004
http://www.oclc.org/research/presentations/dempsey/dewey_20040316.ppt
Why Digital Preservation?
☆Vast quantities of information in digital form
 Virtual Reality(VR):
The use of VR in Heritage and Archaeology has
enormous potential in museum and visitor
centre applications.
Virtual Reality enables heritage sites to be
recreated extremely accurately, so that the
recreations can be published in various media.
Virtual Forbidden City: 3D virtual world based on
the Palace Museum in Beijing.
http://www.beyondspaceandtime.org/
Virtual Forbidden City
Why Digital Preservation?
More and more valuable information is in
digital form.
Universal access to information is an
essential element of a Knowledge Society.
Access to and dissemination of
information relies on the stability of
documents and the retrievability of their
content.
Why Digital Preservation?
Digital information faces:
The prospect of vanishing away rapidly due to
their amorphousness and might be easily lost.
Technical developments often result in greater
instability and shorter lifespans of documents.
The consequence of the fragility of digital
storage media, as well as rapid obsolescence of
storage and rendering environments.
Why Digital Preservation?
There is a real danger that much important
digital information will be lost through lack
of awareness and poor planning for the
future.
The preservation of digital materials
becomes an imperative.
So …
 We need to think about digital preservation
problem
— of securing the long-term persistence of information in
digital form.
— of demonstrating its value
— and of releasing its value in the digital environment.
 We need to promote awareness of the
importance of preserving digital information.
 We need to find better ways of digital
preservation.
The Status of digital
preservation in China
The Studies of Digital Preservation in
China
 The studies on digital preservation in China
began in the 1990s, but most of the studies were
carried out by individuals, even though there
were no funds available for studies in this area.
 Since 2000, the Chinese government has begun
to pay attention to digital preservation. Some
projects about digital preservation were funded
by funded by the Natural Science Foundation of
China (NSFC – www.nsfc.gov.cn/) and by
National Planning Office of Philosophy and
Social Science (NPOPSS – http://www.npopsscn.gov.cn/).
Status of the preservation of digital
resources in China
 The following data cited from the paper titled
“Status of the preservation of digital resources in
China: results of a survey”. Program: electronic
library and information systems, Vol. 41, No. 1,
2007. PP35 – 46.
 These first-hand data shows the main
challenges in preserving digital resources in
libraries, archives and information centers in
China .
Figure 1: Geographic distribution of
respondents
The complexity of digital collections in
China
 Table 2 provides an overview of the collection types
within libraries, archives and information centers and it
can be seen that digital pictures, databases and
multimedia have been collected in all types of
organization surveyed.
 The multimedia collections in archives are less common
than in libraries and information centers.
The complexity of digital collections in
China
 Table 3 shows the type of digital collection within
an organisation.
 Many libraries have all three types of collection
(digital pictures, databases and multimedia).
 In contrast with libraries, near a half of the
archives have only two types of collection.
 Most information centres have all types.
The complexity of digital collections in
China
The complexity of digital collections in
China is reflected in the variety of the
digital collections, the storage media and
the storage formats used.
Storage formats
 The main data storage formats for pictures were jpg, tif
and pdf;
 For databases, they were SQL-server, Oracle, Access
and Sybase for databases;
 For multimedia, formats such as MP3, AVI (Audio Video
Interleave) , WAV (Waveform), RM (RealMedia) and
RMVB (RealMedia Variable Bitrate) were used.
 A number of other formats were also used including
special formats for Chinese materials (e.g. Fangzheng
and Chaoxin) .
Selection of data formats
Selection of data formats
 The status of format selection for the same
resources within an organization and the results
are shown in Tables 5-7.
 To select different storage formats for the same
type of resource within an organization is very
common.
 The reasons may be related to the different aims
of collection resource management, or to their
non-standardized management within the
organization.
Diversification of storage media
 Table 8 shows the range of media used for digital storage in libraries
and archives.
 The data in libraries and archives have been stored on various
media, such as optical disc, floppy disc, magnetic tape, hard disc
and others.
 Most libraries and archives have preserved a great deal of
information on optical discs.
 Most optical discs collected by libraries are electronic publications
on CD-ROMs provided by publishers.
 The optical discs in archives are CD-Rs (i.e. they contain information
written on to the discs, and archives often “write” the data of
digitized collections on to these optical discs). The choice of media
is made by staff in the archives.
Storage conditions for digital information
 Table 9 Storage conditions of digital collections in libraries, archives and
information centers (n=57)
 The “Others” indicated in the last column of Table 9 includes antimagnetic
equipment, light-proof equipment, mildew-proof equipment and so on.
Storage conditions for digital information
Table 9 shows overall details regarding
media storage conditions.
The storage conditions of most digital
collection are good.
Majority of media are separately kept in
surroundings with controlled temperature
and humidity, fireproof, waterproof and
theft-proof equipment.
Storage conditions of digital media by
type of organization
Table 10 compares the storage conditions
of libraries with those of archives.
It indicates that some libraries or archives
still have some collections stored in bad
conditions.
Storage conditions for digital information
 Table 11 Comparison of media storage
conditions between libraries and archives.
 The five “measures” are separate storage; airconditioning; fireproofing; waterproofing and
 Most organizations have implemented all five
measures at the same time, but some have not
taken any measures;
 Archives have paid more attention to media
storage conditions than libraries.
Deterioration of data
 The physical deterioration of data has existed in: (According to the
responses from all participants).
archives 32.1 per cent (n=28);
libraries 71.4 per cent (n=21); and
information centers 25 per cent (n=8).
 The physical deterioration of digital data would appear to be
universal in China and might be related to the high use factor.
 The physical deterioration of digital data often leads to some nonrenewable data loss.
 The storage condition of the data is only one of the factors needed
to keep the data physically intact, as improper management and
maintenance can result in the physical deterioration of the data.
 The physical deterioration of digital data can be reduced or avoided
by appropriate management measures.
Inability to read the data
According to the investigation:
14.3 per cent of the 28 archives and 47.6
per cent of the 21 libraries had not been
able to read digital data they had
preserved.
10.7 per cent of the archives, 33.3 per
cent of the libraries and 12.5 per cent of
the information centers reported having
obsolete storage media.
Weak data back-up management
Table 12 indicates that there are a few
organizations without any back-up
measures, and only a few adopt online
back-up measures.
Activities of Digital
Preservation in China
The projects of Digital Preservation
☆Project: Management Strategies of Ensuring Long-term Access to Digital
Information
☆Abstract:
Through surveying research materials, making on-the-spot inspections,
and combining existing research, This project investigated the main factors
that influence the long-term availability of digital information and proposed
criteria for the selection and appraisal of sources. We also proposed
policies for ensuring long-term access to selected digital information
sources and suggested administrative steps for the maintenance of digital
information using the document life-cycle approach.
☆Principal Investigator:
Liu Jiazhen, Professor in the School of Information Management, Wuhan
University, Wuhan, China.
☆Funding:
(Fund NO. 701400021) , the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC –
www.nsfc.gov.cn/).
The projects of Digital Preservation
☆Project: The Strategy Study on Chinese Culture Digital Resource
Preservation Warehouse
☆Abstract:
This project is likely to develop strategies for the modification or
extension of existing statutes, to ensure the long-term preservation
of digital resources. It will also result in guidelines for information
resource management departments to manage digital resources in
an appropriate manner.
☆Principal Investigator:
Liu Jiazhen, Professor in the School of Information Management,
Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
☆Funding:
(Fund NO. 70373048), the Natural Science Foundation of China
(NSFC – www.nsfc.gov.cn/).
The projects of Digital Preservation
☆Project: Web Information Collection and Preservation (WICP)
☆Abstract:
The National Library of China always attaches great importance
to preservation and protection of all kinds of documents. Web pages
have become a new dimensional space for social culture and a
cultural heritage in today’s world. This project is likely to develop
strategies by operating an experimental web-archiving project.
Based on results achieved from this project, NLC will be able to
formulate policies and strategies for long-term preservation of digital
information.
☆Principal Investigator:
National Library of China, Beijing, China.
☆Funding:
National Library of China
Cooperation and Exchange
Sino-US Forum on Digital Preservation
Theme : “Digital Information Long-term
Maintenance and Preservation”.
 Sponsors: National Natural Science Foundation
of China (NSFC) and US National Science
Foundation (NSF).
 Organizers: School of Information Management,
Wuhan University and Institute of Archives
science and technology.
 Time: May 15-16, 2008
 Place: Beijing, China.
Sino-US Forum
 Subjects:
1. Government Information Resource
Management.
2. Application of OAIS in Digital Information
Resource Management.
3. Digital Library and Digital Archives.
4. Filing and Long-term Preservation of Digital
Records.
5. Application of Metadata in Information
Resource Management.
Chinese-European Workshop on Digital
Preservation
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Sponsoring institutions:
National Science and Technology Library (NSTL)
National Library of China (NLC)
Chinese Science Digital Library of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences (CSDL/CAS)
China Academic Library & Information System (CALIS)
Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL)
Organizing institutions:
China Academic Library & Information System (CALIS)
Chinese Science Digital Library of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences (CSDL/CAS)
Gottingen State and University Library (SUB)
Austrian National Library (ANL)
Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL)
Chinese-European Workshop on Digital
Preservation
Undertakers:
• Chinese Academic Library & Information System Chinese Science
• Digital Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Time: July 14-16, 2004
Location: Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing,
China.
TOPICS OF WORKSHOP:
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Overview of issues about Digital Preservation
Preservation Aspects of Different Digital Object Types
Digital Preservation in the Organisational Context
A Global Infrastructure for Local Preservation
National and International Preservation Strategies and Initiatives /
International Cooperation
The International Conference on the Digital
Preservation (iPRES 2007)
Theme: “Digital Preservation: Sustainable
Programs and Best Practices”
Organizer: the National Science and Technology
Library of China (http://www.nstl.gov.cn)
Undertaker:
The National Science Library, Chinese Academy
of Sciences (http://www.las.ac.cn).
Time: October 11-12, 2007
Place: The National Science Library, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
The International Conference on the Digital
Preservation (iPRES 2007)
☆Subjects:
I. Management: planning, administering, staffing,
financing, certifying
II. Operations: system evaluating and selecting,
workflow managing, and rights managing
III. New directions in preservation: service
environments, grid, personal archives, linking
scientific data and primary publications
The International Conference on the Digital
Preservation (iPRES 2009)
☆iPRES is the series of annual international conferences
which bring together researchers and practitioners
from around the world to explore the latest trends,
innovations, thinking, and practice in digital
preservation.
☆Following on the successful iPRES 2004 at LCAS,
Beijing, China, iPRES 2005 at SUB, Goettingen,
Germany, and iPRES 2006 at Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY, U.S.A., iPRES 2007 at NSL, Beijing,
China, iPRES 2008 at the British Library, London,
Britain, iPRES 2009 will be organized by the
California Digital Library (CDL) in San Francisco,
October 5-6, 2009 at
the Mission Bay Conference Center.
The International Conference on the Digital
Preservation (iPRES 2009)
☆ iPRES2009 will be the sixth in the series of
annual international conferences that bring
together researchers and practitioners from
around the world to explore the latest trends,
innovations, and practices in preserving our
scientific and cultural heritage.
☆The promise of digital preservation will be
realized when it is truly integrated into the
mainstream of digital scholarship, culture and
commerce. iPRES2009 will continue the
discussion of creating our digital future.
The International Conference on the Digital
Preservation (iPRES 2009)
☆ http://www.cdlib.org/iPres/ipres2009.html
The Long-term Digital Preservation is
attached importance to in China
 Cultural organizations in China, such as digital relevant
department and library, have realized the importance of
the long-term digital preservation of scientific and
technical information, and began to build the network of
preserving digital information resources, to organize
main scientific and technological information
organizations to discuss and build the mechanism of the
long-term digital preservation, and to develop and test
the long-term preservation system jointly, supported by
the Ministry of Science and Technology of People’s
Republic of China. (Cited and translated from
Guangming Daily, 2007-10-25 ).
The Long-term Digital Preservation is
attached importance to in China
http://www.gmw.cn/01gmrb/2007-10/25/content_688198.htm
Joint Advanced Seminar for Digital
Libraries
Teaching Objectives : Advanced Professional of
Digital Libray.
Organizers: The National Science and
Technology Library of China (NSTL) and School
of Information Studies, Syracuse University,USA
Undertaker:
The National Science Library, Chinese Academy
of Sciences
Time: One Seminar biennialy
Place: The National Science Library, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Joint Advanced Seminar for Digital
Libraries
 This seminar is two years period. It has six courses.
Three courses every year (estimate 80 class hours), 10
days.
 Six courses:
• First Year: Introduction to Digital Libraries, Planning and
Evaluation of Digital Library Services, XML in Digital
Library;
• Second Year: Digital Resources Preservation,
Human-computer Interaction and Digital Library, The
Systematic Design and Application of Knowledge
Organization.
 Certificate: Certificate for Advanced Studies in Digital
Libraries, School of Information Studies, Syracuse
University，USA
The Comparison of Digital
Preservation between China and
USA
Planning and Infrastructure
☆National level Program in USA:
The National Digital Information Infrastructure and
Preservation Program (NDIIPP) :
http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/
☆Organization level in China:
 National Science and Technology Library (NSTL)
 National Library of China (NLC)
 Chinese Science Digital Library of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences (CSDL/CAS)
 China Academic Library & Information System (CALIS)
Management Policy and Strategy
☆Digital Preservation Management in Library in
USA:
The IDEALS initiative (the University’s
Institutional Repository), the Preservation and
Conservation Program’s digital preservation
management.
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/prescons/services/digita
l_preservation.html
☆Most libraries in China have not pay attention to
digital preservation management and practice.
Education and Training
☆In USA:
 Graduate Course: LIS590PDL Digital
Preservation in GSLIS.
 Digital Preservation Management Workshop in
Library of UIUC.
☆In China:
There is no the course of Digital Preservation in most
graduate school of Library and Information Science.
Projects and Cooperation
☆The projects place extra emphasis on specific
objectives, and multi-partners in USA.
Preserving Creative America: Preserving Virtual
Worlds. Partners include the University of Maryland,
Stanford University, Rochester Institute of
Technology and Linden Lab.
☆The projects place extra emphasis on
management strategy, and seldom-partners in
China.
The Thinking of Digital
Preservation in China
Issues and Challenge
 Lacking integrated policy and strategic planning
for long-term digital preservation.
 Lacking mandatory, effective measure and
means of long-term digital preservation.
 Lacking policy guidance, planning coordination,
supervise and inspect.
 Lacking systematic research and perfect
scheme of technological orientation.
 Crucially, Lacking fund investment for digital
preservation.
Conclusion
The aim of digital preservation is to enable
long-term storage and effective access to
the information.
We have known the reasons of influencing
the development of digital preservation in
China, so, we will try our best to do it well.
I believe that China will make considerable
progress in Digital Preservation.
Thank you!
Welcome to Chongqing, China!