Results of the pilot project "Tiff-archive"
In 2004-2005 the Research and Development division of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek executed the pilot project National Digital Repository Service for Image Material, also called pilot Tiff-Archive. The goal was to gain insight into the technical and functional possibilities, costs, feasibility and desirability of a national digital repository at the KB. The service intends to ensure long-term preservation and re-use of master copies of digitization projects at Dutch cultural heritage institutions, with a main focus on TIFF files.
The project initiation document appointed two main goals: to draw up a pilot system for the storage of thousands of TIFF files from cultural heritage institutions, as well as the formulation of a business plan, which discusses issues of feasibility and desirability.
Pilot system
In co-operation with five partner institutions (University Library of Amsterdam, Dutch photo museum, Historisch Centrum Overijssel, Dutch Theatre Institute, and the expert services and collections division of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek) a number of technical conditions to the service were formulated. The institutions covered a broad area of potential users – archives, libraries, museums and documentation centers – ensuring the input of expertise from different disciplines and testing materials of various nature. The institutions not only contributed expertise but also participated in testing the functionality of the system.
The pilot system was largely built on existing structures, standards and techniques as currently used by the e-depot. IBM extended the e-depot with a component which allows for retrieval of files with an authentication and authorization element. The development and placement of a custom-made website provided remote access. Through the website deposited files could be searched and selected, after which the files could be retrieved.
After the development of the service was completed, a feasibility test was conducted, mainly to test the performance of the depositing and retrieval function when dealing with large numbers of TIFF-files. The system turned out to be successful. An operational version of the system, however, would have to be upgraded to comply with the desired performance.
Business plan
The business plan provides insight into the costs of the deposit service. To calculate these costs a model was developed which includes the costs of personnel, hardware and software.
The business plan shows that the service satisfies an existing need of cultural heritage institutions. In the beginning of 2005 a marketing survey was held among approximately 100 heritage institutions to establish the need for a deposit service. The results were positive: 42% were inclined to make use of a central deposit service with retrieval possibilities.
The business plan also provides a business model to make the service cost-effective. This model will be further developed in a sequel project.
Next phase
The results of the pilot project were positive. In 2006 an implementation phase will be initiated by the bureau of the Memory of the Netherlands. Afterward the service will be part of the Memory of the Netherlands. It is expected that the service will be operational by 2007.
For further information please contact Astrid Verheusen at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek.