ASSESSMENT OF DIGITAL PRESERVATION NEEDS TOWARDS CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN THE UP SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION STUDIES

Abstract

Digital preservation concerns the policies, strategies, and actions undertaken to ensure continued access to digital information over time. These actions are guided by standards and guidelines which are reflected in courses and certifications on digital preservation. In the Philippine setting there is no established course on digital preservation in the undergraduate LIS curriculum and practitioners rely mostly on seminars and workshops for education on the subject. The paper identifies the ideal competencies for digital preservation as observed from industry needs with the goal of integration into the existing curriculum. Data was collected by document analysis of known standards and the use of qualitative interviews with five institutions, one professional organization, and two universities. A need for digital preservation was observed in respondent institutions, but also revealed the institutions' lack of awareness of digital preservation theories and standards. The proposed digital preservation course by the University of the Philippines School of Library and Information Studies was found to satisfy most needs. The majority of unsatisfied needs were observed to be management related and indicative of the need for a separate course in archival management.