Columbia, Mo. − The University of Missouri Libraries is the newest member of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA). The NDSA is a partnership of institutions and organizations dedicated to preserving and providing access to selected databases, web pages, video, audio and other digital content with enduring value.
The alliance is an outgrowth of the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP), which the Library of Congress (LOC) has administered since 2000. In establishing the program, Congress directed LOC to work with other federal agencies and a variety of additional communities to develop a national approach to digital preservation. NDIIPP has achieved substantial success though partnering with more than 170 institutions to provide access to a diverse national collection of digital content. This work demonstrates that a collective effort can achieve far more than individual institutions working alone.
“We are proud to be a member of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance and to partner with them in the important mission of preserving and protecting America’s growing digital heritage,” said Director of MU Libraries, Jim Cogswell. “We recognize the urgent need for organizations to collaborate actively and make the preservation of valuable digital content a strategic priority. The MU Libraries are devoted to ensuring that effective digital stewardship is put in place today to protect critically important resources for the future.”
The NDSA develops improved preservation standards and practices; works with experts to identify categories of digital information that are most worthy of preservation; and takes steps to incorporate content into a national collection. It provides national leadership for digital-preservation education and training. For more information, visit www.digitalpreservation.gov/ndsa/.