Digital Archiving and Long Term Storage of Audiovisual Research Data

Johannes SpitzbartPhonogrammarchiv, Austrian Academy of Sciences

Österreichische Tage der Digitalen Geisteswissenschaftensave the data - workshop on digital repositories, Dec 2nd 2014

Collecting, preserving and documenting primary audiovisual research sources (unique) and making them available for research use

Scholarly research (ethnomusicology, ethnology, linguistics, context & discourse)

Technical research & development (standardization, i.e. IASA-TC, preservation, replay & digitization of recordings, patent “Method for Reconditioning of Data Carriers”) and training

Role in the digital research infrastructure: Digitization, long-term preservation, data accessibility Metadata capture, comprehensive documentation, database

access, searchability (online catalogue)

Tasks of the PhonogrammarchivAustria’s Audiovisual Research Archive (since 1899)

Manually managed system: File Server – RAID 10 (= mirrored) HDD array, 40TB (usable capacity); LTO Tape Library

(two backup copies) Eternal preservation through continuous data and format (if needed) migration Checksums for file integrity check

Pros: easy files/folder management, in-house maintenance, flexible (independent from proprietary management software; hosting of any file format), probably easier disaster management

Con:additional effort for manual file/folder management and linking to database (human resources)

The Phonogrammarchiv’s long-term storage system:(long-term = eternal !)

Gigabit Ethernet

Tape library with LTO (=tape data storage) drive

file servers2 independent, scalable hard drive storage units in storage area network environment (mirrored hard drives, RAID 10)

Several workstations

1-Gigabit Ethernet

Network Switch

Data backups managed by system administrator

Content:• Digitized (approx. 50%) tape/disc collection (audio)• Born digital output of supported external & own

projects (audio)• Digitized acquired collections (audio)• Workspace (for temp data)

MySQL DB, PHP frontend, custom developed (daily backup onto storage system)

Elaborate structure due to archival documentation needs (comprehensive metadata capture)

Taxonomies & controlled vocabularies (Hornbostel-Sachs, languages, ethnic groups, etc.)

Different access levels (visitors read only, admin for taxonomies and CV) AV playback in browser (MP3, MPEG-2) English version (work in progress)

The In-House Database

Content:

Comprehensive documentation(technical, content descriptive and contextual) at item level (=recording) which is a prerequisite for accessibility and potential use

… slimmed down copy of in-house database on dedicated “exposed” server

Reduced data set & short samples Focus on usability and sophisticated search possibilities Connected to Europeana through Dismarc (weekly updated)

Phonogrammarchiv’s Online Catalogue

Open Access? Legal constraints

(Intellectual property rights) Ethical issues (sensitive content)

full length online publication not possible to date

INPUT (external, main part):Supported research projects get ...

◦ Methodological support/advice

◦ Technical support (recording equipment & training, )

◦ Preservation of the outcome (data: field recordings, metadata)

◦ Exclusive usage right for six years

… and provide on their part ...

◦ The original field recordings

◦ Their description (= predefined set of metadata) for proper documentation

OUTPUT:Interested users ...

◦ Browse online catalogue, listen to samples, inquire via email

◦ Are provided with access copies via Download (small handling fees or fixed rates for commercial use, e.g. media, exhibitions)

Collection Growth and Usage

Thank you for your attention!

johannes.spitzbart@oeaw.ac.atwww.phonogrammarchiv.at