In early 2006, in the context of the fifth call of its Sixth Framework Programme, the European Commission granted a subsidy to PLANETS, a European cooperative project whose aim is to develop tools and procedures for the long-term preservation and permanent accessibility of digital objects.
Sixteen European partners are working together on this project, with the KB as project leader of one of the five main modules. The KB is also responsible for the execution of two work packages. A total amount of M€ 14 is involved in this project, with a completion time of 48 months (June 2006-June 2010).
PLANETS is closely in line with the current activities of the KB in the area of digital preservation, and makes it possible to carry them out with European partners. This is an important impulse for the advancement of research and development with regard to the permanent storage and accessibility of digital material.
Background
In order to guarantee the preservation of digital files over the long term, careful storage of the digital material is a primary requirement. The basis for the implementation of permanent storage systems is the OAIS Reference Model, the ISO standard for permanent storage. To make sure the digital material remains accessible over the long term as well, more research and development is necessary. There are many criteria that influence decisions having to do with digital preservation. In order to control this kind of ‘preservation planning’, a coherent model of instruments and procedures is required that can be implemented in a permanent storage system. The OAIS Reference Model contains a module for ‘preservation planning’, but its practical application is still unexplored territory. PLANETS is going to focus on the development of this module, in which elements such as the characterising of digital objects, the implementation of preservation strategies and strategy definition will be combined. The KB has a solid foundation for the long-term storage of digital publications in the form of the e-Depot. From the moment the e-Depot became operational (2003), the KB began working with IBM and other partners on the development of instruments and methods to make the system suitable for the long-term accessibility of digital material as well. This resulted in experimental projects such as the UVC and emulation, and it also led to the development of practical applications such as the Preservation Manager. It is the policy of the KB to keep publications accessible in their original format in order to guard the publication’s integrity. With this in mind, investments have been made in the development of emulation. Because the KB will also want to offer the future user a choice, and because emulation will not always be the only correct strategy in every case, a project on migration was also started in 2006.
The acronym PLANETS stands for Preservation and Long-term Access through Networked Services. PLANETS consists of five subprojects:
1. Characterisation
2. Preservation Action
3. Preservation Planning
4. Testbed
5. Interoperability Framework
The preservation planning module (decision module) will be developed as part of the Preservation Planning subproject. This will require input from the Characterisation and Preservation Action subprojects. Characterisation has to do with the properties of the files; Preservation Action as to do with the properties of the tools (such as migration and emulation) that are responsible for the long-term accessibility of digital files. The Testbed and Interoperability Framework subprojects provide technical support: the Testbed is where all new tools and instruments are tested, and the Interoperability Framework makes sure that everything built within the PLANETS framework is interchangeable.
For the implementation of the PLANETS Project a consortium has been created consisting of 16 European institutions that in recent years have been actively involved in the storage and accessibility of digital objects. In determining the composition of the consortium, it was decided to create a diverse group in which both stakeholders and developers would work together. Each and every institution has acquired expertise through years of experience in the field and plays an active role in all the existing international networks. The British Library is the coordinator of the entire project. Then each subproject has its own subproject leader: Characterisation is being led by The National Archives, Preservation Action by the KB, Preservation Planning by the Nationaal Archief, Testbed by the Österreichische National Bibliothek and Interoperability Framework by ARC.
The role of the KB in PLANETS
The KB is the leader of the Preservation Action subproject. The aim of this subproject is to develop instruments and methods for ensuring the accessibility of digital material. The possible strategies are further elaborated in three PLANETS work packages: Tools for Objects concerns instruments for migration; Tools for Environments concerns emulation. Innovative approaches and combinations of migration and emulation technologies will be the focus of the Emerging Technologies work package. The KB is also directly involved in two other subprojects: it will direct the OAIS-Extension work package for the Preservation Planning subproject, the aim of which is to study how the PLANETS developments compare with the theoretical framework of the OAIS Reference model, and whether this ISO standard needs to be changed or altered. In the Characterisation subproject the KB will work on the Registry. Here the experiences with the Preservation Manager will be utilised. Finally, the KB will make a contribution to the testing of instruments and methods developed within the project and will also contribute to project communication.
PLANETS website: www.planets-project.eu