Overview

This document outlines the criteria for creating a Dissemination Information Package (DIP) for preservation purposes. Preservation DIPs are intended to be shared with end users that might require access to preservation copies of our materials. The criteria outlined below enumerate the information the Digital Preservation FRG believes a user would like to see or should see when receiving a Preservation DIP from Emory’s preservation repository. 

This document provides example use cases for retrieving a Preservation DIP, it does not presume to enumerate all potential use cases.  Additionally, this document does not address service issues surrounding how the Preservation DIP is requested, assessed for rights, retrieved, or delivered.

Defining the Preservation Copy

The preservation copy of an object is defined as the high-quality files associated with an object.  Below are some general guidelines for the preservation version of files based on the primary Emory Content Types.

Audio

Definition. Audio files are audio/sound content is time based media content intended to be listened to and which requires an audio output device for playback.

Explanation of Preservation Copy. High quality audio files such as a .wav or .mp3. In some cases, transcripts may be included with the preservation copy, these files would usually be a .txt, .rtf, .pdf. Information representing structural data and/or layout may also be included.

Examples of Preservation Copy Dissemination. Preservation copies for audio files might be provided to production studios who are looking to edit the content for other purposes.  Mezzanine copies may need to be created for those who are looking for access to content, but do not need the high-quality files that production studios need.

Text

Definition. Text based files are content that is primarily intended to be read or searched. It may be structured as pages (or another construct), can be a compound object, or may be made up of other types of objects. For example, a manuscript may include image files, a PDF file, and information representing structural data and/or layout.

Explanation of Preservation Copy. Images files, PDF files, text files, or XML files may be provided to users requesting preservation copies.  This may depend on the files that are available for the object. In the case of image files, follow the Images section below.  For PDF, text, or XML files, follow the Binaries explanation below.

Examples of Preservation Copy Dissemination. Preservation copies of text based content might be provided to researchers particularly interested in illuminations in a manuscript or to researchers interested in text mining content.

Video

Definition.Video files are moving image, time based media content that requires a video output device for playback.  These files may include audio content or files as well.

Examples of Preservation Copy.High quality video files such as a .mov or .mpeg4. In some cases, transcripts may be included with the preservation copy, these files would usually be a .txt, .rtf, .pdf. Information representing structural data and/or layout may also be included.

Examples of Preservation Copy Dissemination.Preservation copies for video files might be provided to production studios. Mezzanine copies may need to be created for those who are looking for access to content, but do not need the high-quality files that production studios need.

Image

Definition. Static visual image/graphical content.

Examples of Preservation Copy. Color bar .tif files.

Examples of Preservation Copy Dissemination.Might be provided to researchers particularly interested in the finer details of the image or who need to make derivatives of the original for publication purposes.

Disk Images

Definition.Container object storing the structure and content which represents a data storage medium or device (such as a hard drive, floppy disk, CD, or DVD) in a single file; intended for packaging or download.

Examples of Preservation Copy. An .iso, .bin, .dmg, or .tar file used to package up a group of files.

Examples of Preservation Copy Dissemination.Not intended for access by end users; however, extracted surrogates may follow preservation and end-user patterns for other major content types noted here.

Binaries

Definition. Other kinds of data, typically either un-interpreted binary data or information that must be processed by a specific application only.

Examples of Preservation Copy. A .zip, .csv, .ppt, .tex, .sql, or other type of file not specified in the above content types.

Examples of Preservation Copy Dissemination. For objects that fall underneath these content types, masters are disseminated for preservation purposes. Exceptions usually occur when the files that would be disseminated cannot be easily viewed.

Accompaniments for Object

Definition. Accompaniments for an object are various types of information that might be paired with a preservation copy requested by a user. The user requesting the copy may or should be aware of the information we preserve about the object. Below are the types of accompaniments that should be included (if available) to a user requesting a Preservation DIP.

Copyright. Copyright status, if available, will be provided to the requestor.

Use limitations. Any limitations stipulated by existing agreements, such as license and donor agreements, that affect how the requestor can use the preservation copy will be provided to the requestor. 

Embargos/leases. The existence and duration of an embargo/lease that governs the use of the preservation copy will be provided to the requestor.

Objectionable content. Should the preservation copy contain objectionable content, this information will be provided to the requestor.

Fixity. The Preservation Copy is “digitally fingerprinted” by generating one or more checksums.  This is supplied to the user so they can confirm the files they have requested are the files that they have received.  The checksums included with the file are:

• MD5 and SHA-1: The fixity checks are performed up front by content extractors as part of SIP creation.
• SHA-256 This fixity check is created when generating the AIP, it is provided with the preservation DIP.

Descriptive Metadata. Descriptive metadata should be included so at minimum the receiver has the title, date, etc. provided by Emory’s Core Metadata standards.