[PADG:1910] ERPANET workshop annoucement

["Italian.Editor@xxxxxxxxxxx" <Italian.editor@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

ERPANET is pleased to announce its workshop on the â??Long-term Preservation of Databasesâ??. It will be held on the 9-11 April 2003 and is co-hosted by the Swiss Federal Archives.

Focus

Databases have been, and continue to be, a key technology for the storage, organisation, and interrogation of information. While the value of other types of digital information has been highlighted in recent years, databases and the information they contain have been sidelined. Their preservation is of high concern as they are often either irreplaceable or of such value that replacement would be prohibitively expensive.

The workshop will cover the entire process of database preservation: selection, appraisal, preservation, description, and access. Technical solutions will occupy an important place in the workshop and archival requirements will also be addressed. 

Different institutional approaches will be presented and key areas of difficulty and success offered. Breakout sessions will focus on some of these identified areas, and attempt to posit solutions and strategies for this difficult challenge. 

Who will benefit from attending?

Erpaworkshops are expert meetings to promote and develop new approaches to preservation challenges. Participation is encouraged from specialists in the archival, scientific, and IT spheres, and those with theoretical and/or practical experience in the field of database preservation. 

Programme

Wednesday 9 April	Opening (9 a.m.)
	General introduction to the subject
	Concrete solutions: approaches chosen, practical experiences
Thursday 10 April	Specific topics: Selection, appraisal, description, preservation
Friday 11 April	Access and reusability
	Conclusions
	Closing (around 12 p.m.)

Location

The workshop will take place at the Swiss Federal Archives, Berne, Switzerland

Further information

Information about the finalised programme, speakers, social programme, and registration will be sent out in February 2003.
www.erpanet.org

Samir Musa
ERPANET Italian Editor
Institute for Archival and Libary Science
University of Urbino
Via Piano Santa Lucia 6
61029 URBINO
Italy
Tel+Fax: +39 0722 2940
http://www.erpanet.org