The Digital Memory of CERN: status and input for a Preservation Strategic Plan

The Digital Memory project is born from the repetitive observation over decades that a fraction of CERN knowledge is lost or threaten to be lost. If a good part is kept in safe systems where long term preservation is ”in the pipeline” - but rarely fully implemented - another part is not managed for archiving. CERN Digital Memory targets to create incentives for a more consistent and robust solution to guarantee the long term preservation of content by existing information systems, as well as a new approach to collect missing content worth been transmitted to future generations. The first part of this document overviews digital preservation in the world, looking at rationale, world wide evolution and best practices. The second chapter describes past initiatives started at CERN and what has been recommended to ensure a safer preservation of CERN-produced digital assets. Finally, the last section exposes proposals to evolve existing information systems and to set up innovative processes to make digital preservation a standard part of the organisation.