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This presentation describes Virginia Tech University Libraries’ response to and recovery from the 2021 Kaseya ransomware attack and outline methods of prevention already in place, immediate response and mitigation, and new preventative measures that have since been enacted. Accepted version Yes, abstract only (Peer reviewed?)

Documentation is a key element in the scaffolding of our digital preservation programs, and the MetaArchive—a values-driven digital preservation network hosted by and for memory organizations—is in the process of shoring up its scaffolding. Over the last fourteen years, the MetaArchive’s documentation has grown organically, resulting in information that is at times outdated and often difficult to find. In response, community members established a task force to appraise, revamp, and improve access to the documentation. This task force works in tandem with standing committees to support a broader effort to build capacity around existing tools and to foster confidence in MetaArchive infrastructure. This presentation will walk through the MetaArchive’s collaborative—albeit ongoing—process. It will facilitate discussion around supporting and improving community input on labor-intensive projects and consider how documentation activities interface with governance. This presentation will benefit audience members who are responsible for creating, managing, or migrating documentation. Accepted version Yes, abstract only (Peer reviewed?)

This paper examines existing digital library practices at Virginia Tech University Libraries, and explores changes in documentation and practice that will foster a more environmentally sustainable collections platform. Published version Yes, full paper (Peer reviewed?)

This paper presents methodology and findings from a multi-case study exploring the use of preservation and sustainability measures to increase access to digital humanities (DH) content. Specifically, we seek to develop a workflow to both prepare DH content at Virginia Tech for preservation while enhancing the accessibility of the project. This work is based on the idea of treating DH as traditional data and applying data curation and digital preservation methods to DH content. Our outcomes are an evaluation of the process and output using qualitative methods, publicly accessible and described project components on two Virginia Tech projects, and a scalable workflow that can be applied to additional work. By breaking down individual projects into their respective components of content, code, metadata, and documentation and examining each component individually for opportunities in access and preservation, we can begin migrating our digital scholarship to a sustainable, portable, and accessible existence. Accepted version

Digital preservation policy development is a collaborative challenge that affects an entire organization and its content management. Determining the best methods and content for policies and supporting documentation can be a challenge. This presentation will outline policy development needs and a brief review of Virginia Tech’s journey through preservation policy development. Unpublished (Publication status)

Digital humanities (DH) projects pose several digital preservation challenges due to their multimodal approaches and varying technology. Last year, Virginia Tech presented a potential strategy for preserving these projects through documentation and project component packaging. The proposed strategies included identifying various project components, developing preservation strategies for complex items, and consolidating or creating documentation to be packaged and submitted to the Digital Libraries Platform (DLP). In the past year, they have successfully completed a case study for one DH project, identifying the existing components and documentation and creating metadata and documentation where appropriate. They are now in the process of ingesting the project into the DLP, developing a policy surrounding preservation levels and workflows for DH projects, and beginning another case study. In this presentation, they hope to share the strategies we implemented in both of the case studies and their outcomes, as well as the policies they have since created.

Virginia Tech University Libraries is developing a cloud-based, serverless, microservice application to support digital asset management, preservation, and access. This presentation will outline the balance of cost-effectiveness and creating a trustworthy platform while relying on the cloud. Accepted version Yes, abstract only (Peer reviewed?)

This poster presents the results of a multi-case study on 3D datasets at Virginia Tech University Libraries and an invitation to participate in a survey on 3D and virtual reality preservation methods. These results will culminate in a proposed 3D/VR preservation workflow employed by VTUL on a current 3D digitization project. Accepted version Yes, abstract only (Peer reviewed?)

Digital Humanities (DH) projects are complex with multiple moving components in need of preservation. Early preservation planning for each component is a strategy for long-term access. This presentation will break down various components of a DH project, preservation approaches for those components, packaging methods for future recreation/emulation. Accepted version Yes, abstract only (Peer reviewed?)

Digital Humanities (DH) projects are often complex and pose a challenge for digital preservation. Best practices and standard techniques for preserving combinations of databases, user interfaces, and documentation does not yet exist. At Virginia Tech University Libraries (VTUL), we have a group of faculty dedicated to developing and sustaining DH projects ranging from small online exhibits to large research projects. As support for these projects develops, a major component is to incorporate preservation planning early on in the process, including a preservation plan, sustainability plan, and general documentation. Another component is researching and testing technical requirements for packaging and maintaining DH project elements. The goal of this presentation is to outline our strategy of early planning and documentation to preserve DH projects effectively. We will discuss our current practices and highlight involvement with one or two projects and explore how this may be used as a model for future work. Please see the speaker notes in the PPTX file for additional context.

This talk presents findings from a pilot multi-case study in archiving and preserving 3D and virtual environment data using the OAIS reference model for 3D and VR data sets. Specifically, we seek to learn new lessons from the review, evaluation and re-validation of curated 3D and VR content. We further seek to identify links between digital triage, preservation actions, and archiving in multiple disciplines in order to make recommendations to embed data stewardship processes in research ecosystems. This work happens through interdisciplinary collaboration to validate curation practices across fields to support reproducibility in research with 3D and/or VR data. Numerous disciplines and sectors are producing 3D data for research and instruction, but without the guidance of published standards or practices generalizable across fields. In this presentation we will present our findings from taking 3D and VR data sets from three separate initiatives in distinct disciplines and creating archival objects using the OAIS reference model. Our findings review the use of OAIS as applied to preserving 3D content, and expands on what steps and information on 3D workflows we need to preserve in order to ensure reuse across disciplines., Please see the notes in the slides for additional information and context.

In celebration of World Digital Preservation Day, seven Virginia Tech University Library personnel from four different Library departments will present five-minute lightning talks covering various practical and unique topics on digital preservation. Speakers and topics include: Alex Kinnaman, Digital Preservation Coordinator: Web Archiving Luke Menzies, Digital Preservation Technologist: Setting up Personal Archive Storage Jim Tuttle, Associate Director of Digital Libraries: Risk, Threats, and Mitigations Maureen Saverot, 3D Technical Artist: 3D Photogrammetry Jon Petters, Data Management Consultant and Curation Services Coordinator: Data Management Planning Philip Young, Institutional Repository Manager: Perma.cc Corinne Guimont, Digital Scholarship Coordinator: Documentation All of these digital preservation topics are activities and services provided by Virginia Tech University Libraries. World Digital Preservation Day is an international event hosted by the Digital Preservation Coalition as a means of bringing together the digital preservation community and enhancing awareness of digital preservation best practices. More information can be found here: https://www.dpconline.org/events/world-digital-preservation-day. See the Digital Preservation LibGuide page on World Digital Preservation Day (https://guides.lib.vt.edu/digipres/wdpd) to see some of the other events the University Libraries are hosting for this Day.

Creating sustainable, preservable Digital Humanities (DH) projects is a challenge that is often left until after project completion if considered at all. This presentation explores a case study that is implementing a strategy of project management, preservation planning, and documentation early in development as a framework for preserving DH projects. Please see the DLF 2019 OSF repository for additional conference information (https://osf.io/meetings/DLFForum2019/)

Preservation systems rely on the tools and technology provided by the expertise of available IT personnel. This panel includes representatives from Virginia Tech, UCLA, University of Arkansas, and the Computer History Museum to discuss collaborating with IT on preservation needs and the balance of libraries and IT in developing preservation systems.

At Virginia Tech University Libraries (VTUL), our unit, Digital Imaging and Preservation Services (DI&PS), is a newly formed team whose goal is to establish a fully integrated digital curation system that encompasses data creation and digitization, long-term preservation and storage, and stable, robust access. Any new preservation work must be built on the remnants of what has gone before, both in terms of hardware and software, and in terms of institutional structures, procedures, and people. Development of a new digital curation systems is also constricted by available funding and expertise. Our case study addresses the challenges, pitfalls, and successes of our team's efforts to produce such a system, in terms of concrete, practical workflows. In order to accomplish our goals we are working together with units from all across the library in order to enable these technologies to work together in addition to their respective library department faculty working together.