title: Supporting Software Preservation Services in Research and Memory Organizations: A White Paper from the Software Preservation Network's Research-in-Practice Working Group
creators: Jessica G. Benner Seth Erickson Wendy Hagenmaier Monique Lassere Christa Williford Lauren Work
abstract: <p>This white paper outlines findings from a survey- and interview-based study of <em>software preservation service providers</em>&mdash;an expansive category that includes archivists, librarians, preservation specialists, technologists, and other professional roles. The survey and interviews were conducted in 2019 by the SPN Research-in-Practice Working Group. An analysis of the survey and interview data suggests broad support for inter-organizational collaboration in software preservation, despite challenges that surface because of the malleable concepts of &ldquo;software&rdquo; that can vary across preservation contexts. Results presented in this paper include a set of service provider personas, an overview of the conceptions of software that exist in research and memory organizations, a delineation of multilevel barriers to software preservation, and a related set of themes and targeted recommendations.</p>
keywords: software preservation digital preservation