The Human Element in Digital Preservation

SUMMARY This chapter is a presentation of the major areas of digital preservation activity with reference to representative and well-known projects. It is also a presentation of the roles that Electronic Resources (ER) librarians may take to assist and advocate for digital preservation. The need for human mediation and decision-making during this early period of digital preservation development is emphasized. The roles and responsibilities of the ER librarian is described in the context of emergent business models for digital preservation as well as questions about the impact of licensing and ownership arrangements on ER preservation.