Preservation Activities
YUL’s preservation strategies are based around the preservation of the intellectual content of the digital objects contained in YUL’s digital preservation platforms. These platforms transform objects to address file obsolescence on an as needed basis. During transformations, priority is given to maintaining the information contained in an individual content object, as opposed to preserving its appearance. YUL does not engage in digital preservation that involves emulation.
To this end, YUL utilizes the following approaches to preservation:
Archival File Formats: YUL is committed to the use of file formats that support long term sustainability. In general, the considerations for selecting file formats include the “openness” of the file format, its level of support as a preservation format within the preservation community, its uptake among members of YUL’s Designated Community, as well as its suitability for later format migration.
Normalization: As mentioned above, YUL works to identify file formats well-suited to its approach to preservation and access. Upon ingest, materials not conforming to YUL’s accepted standards will be converted to one of the previously identified formats. To the extent possible, YUL will attempt to preserve the essential characteristics of the object. In cases requiring compromise, transformations that maintain the content of the object will be prioritized over those that preserve the presentation.
Format Migration: When YUL perceives that a portion of its content is stored in a format that is at risk of obsolescence, an updated version of this content will be created in a format more suited to long-term preservation and use. This transformation may consist of migration to a newer version of the content’s existing format, or transformation to a different format altogether. In all cases, preservation of the object’s intellectual content will be prioritized over the preservation of a specific presentation style.
Bit Stream Copying: YUL maintains regularly scheduled backups of all information contained in YUL’s digital repositories, for use in the event of data loss. In combination with regular fixity checks, which identify potentially damaged content, this process ensures the integrity of content in YUL’s digital preservation platforms, and provides a foundation for its disaster recovery plans.
Fixity Checking: All materials in the preservation platforms are subject to regular fixity checks - comparisons of checksum values calculated at a given point in time with those generated at the material’s time of ingest. This activity, when combined with bit stream copying, mitigates the risk of objects becoming corrupt in the repository, as it enables the repository managers to identify damaged or corrupted content, and to revert to a valid version of the object from a previous point in time.
Documentation of File Formats: Upon ingest, every file is subject to identification of its file format and other significant characteristics. Also generated is a reference to the file format’s entry (if it exists) in PRONOM, the National Archive’s online format registry. This association ensures that information is always available on the internal structure of the file, and can be further used to determine when the format migration activity should take place (if allowed by the object’s preservation level) to mitigate the risks posed by the obsolete file formats.
Preservation Levels
These preservation activities are applied to materials in the repository according to the material’s designated Preservation Level.
Bit-level Preservation: Items preserved at the Bit-level Preservation level will be subject to Bit Stream Copying, Fixity Checking, and Documentation of File Formats preservation activities. This is a baseline level of preservation activity which ensures that object, once ingested into the repository, can be maintained in a valid and uncorrupted state. It also attempts to provide representation information for the object through documentation of its file format, though at this level no migration activities will take place. This preservation level should be considered less robust than the “Full Preservation” level, and should only be considered in situations where Full Preservation is not a viable strategy. Common issues of unsuitability include lack of privilege to perform migration activities on the material, the presence of material in unknown or unsupported file formats, or the material’s failure to conform to a valid format.
Full Preservation: Items preserved at this level will receive the benefit of all the above-mentioned preservation activities, as appropriate. Upon ingest into the repository, the material will undergo file format identification and normalization/transformation to archival file formats. As time goes on, these formats will be monitored by YUL staff, and should the criteria for format migration be met, the files will be migrated to a new format. In addition, all activities associated with the “Bit-level Preservation” preservation level will be carried out.
No Preservation: In rare cases, the repository may contain material for which YUL is unable or unwilling to accept preservation responsibility. Although incidental preservation activities may take place upon this material, YUL accepts no responsibility for its long-term accessibility or validity. This level is an exception to YUL’s digital preservation activities, rather than a part of its preservation strategy, but is included here for completeness. Examples of materials at this level would include objects that are known to be corrupt or not authorized for preservation at any level but which, for some reason, cannot be deleted immediately.
Reviewed: March 14, 2022