Digital preservation and access to archival materials at selected University-based archival repositories in the Gauteng Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of selected university-based archival repositories in Gauteng for implementing digital preservation practices that facilitate access to archival materials. Employed a qualitative approach, specifically utilising an exploratory-interviews research design, the study sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of digital preservation dynamics. Eleven employees from the archival repositories and libraries of four universities in Gauteng—University of South Africa (Unisa), University of Pretoria (UP), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and University of Johannesburg (UJ)—were purposively sampled for their direct involvement in archival materials and library digital content management. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, conducted with archives managers, archivists, and library digital content managers, the study explored various digital preservation issues, including digitisation workflows, challenges, policies, born-digital databases, preservation strategies, software, access, and the OAIS reference model. Thematic analysis of the data revealed significant findings, including the absence of digitisation policies, preservation strategies, methodologies, software, staffing shortages, and knowledge gaps. The study suggests that addressing these identified issues could significantly improve digital preservation effectiveness and enhance access to archival materials within these repositories.