CommonKnowledge – Preservation

CommonKnowledge - Preservation

Content Standards

It is recommended that for text-based content, files be submitted to CommonKnowledge in the PDF/A format. Other recommend formats include: .pdf, .doc/.docx, .html, and .xml. For multimedia-based content, the recommended file formats for submissions are: .gif, .jpeg, .tiff., .aiff, .wav, .mp3, .avi, .mpeg, and .mp4.

While there are no guarantees as to the persistent integrity of digital file formats, the University Libraries will make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity of .doc/.docx, .pdf, .html, and .xml files. Content submitted to CommonKnowledge in formats other than those listed will be considered for preservation efforts on a case-by-case basis, as resources allow.

Format Migration

University Libraries

Every ten (10) years, the support for/utility of the file formats list above will be assessed by the University Libraries. As necessary (and as possible), content in formats for which viewers/readers are becoming rare in common use will be migrated to new formats with broader support. (New formats that are experimental or lack an established user community will not be used without careful evaluation).

Outside of the ten-year file format review cycle, individual files/content may be migrated if its determined that the original files have become corrupted or unstable.

Berkeley Electronic Press

The Digital Commons system preserves all objects uploaded to the repository in their original format. This provides the ability to build in capabilities for either emulation (provision of a virtual environment that can display a digital object in its native format), or migration. Beyond this, Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress) is committed to making PDFs web accessible on a permanent basis. If Adobe changes Acrobat to such an extent that older PDFs are no longer readable, bepress will migrate these objects to ensure they remain readable.

Back-Up

On a quarterly basis, the University Libraries will receive a delivery of all CommonKnowledge metadata and associated files via FTP or SFTP from bepress. The previous two (2) quarterly deliveries will be stored securely on a rolling basis on a local or virtual server, as well as on a hard drive, by the University Libraries.

System Migration or Termination

If the University Libraries ceases its Digital Commons license, bepress will provide a final content delivery upon license expiration to allow migration to a new repository platform.

If the University Libraries ceases to support CommonKnowledge (as distinct from migrating CommonKnowledge to a new platform), all content will be transferred to the Pacific University Archives and to individual units/offices/schools/departments who request copies of content they (or their faculty/students/staff) have provided.