At-Risk LTO Migration: A Prioritisation Case Study : Long Paper - iPRES 2025 - Wellington, New Zealand / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa
Abstract
Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision is aspiring to become a digital archive – moving away from analogue materials and processes towards digital ones. As part of our digital preservation efforts, we have begun to apply a prioritisation model to digital materials stored on at-risk generations of LTO (referred to in this paper as Legacy LTO). These LTO tapes range from generations 3-6 and are at risk due to format obsolescence and the possibility of tape failure. Some of the files are likely to be significant and unique, but others may either be insignificant or have been replaced by higher quality preservation files. Ngā Taonga has recently developed a model for collection prioritisation to help inform our work, including preservation. We are now in the process of using this model to identify what percentage of the files on Legacy LTO are unique materials of high significance and access. This will help us make informed decisions about how to proceed with these items. A case study was conducted with files on a sample set of our LTO3-LTO5 tapes. These files were analysed first with respect to the significance of their content and our ability to provide access to it and secondly, to understand the effects of file loss. We then considered a possible migration approach that combined these considerations. The data gathered in this study has proven that our Legacy LTO tapes hold some unique files of high value alongside material that may not be worthy of migration. The results showed that applying a prioritisation lens in addition to an analysis of the impact of file loss could reduce the number of tapes we need to migrate. This study will inform our migration plans. It also helps us to outline options for decision makers, including different levels of investment in migration based on impact of loss and value of content.Details
- Creators
- Ish Doney; Lara Simmons
- Institutions
- Date
- 2025-09-01 00:00:00 +0000
- Keywords
- digital humanities
- Publication Type
- paper
- License
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
- Download
- 646347 bytes