A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Digital Archivist

A Digital Archivist is a professional responsible for managing, preserving, and providing access to records that are in digital formats. This includes materials that were "born digital," such as emails, websites, and databases, as well as items that have been converted to a digital format, like scanned documents or digitized photographs and audio-visual content. The core mission of a digital archivist is to ensure the long-term viability, authenticity, and accessibility of these digital assets for future users, despite technological obsolescence and media degradation.

The work of a digital archivist can be quite engaging. Imagine being a steward of history, ensuring that valuable digital information, from governmental records to personal correspondence, survives for generations to come. There's a thrill in tackling the technical challenges of preserving fragile digital objects and making them discoverable. Furthermore, digital archivists often collaborate with a diverse range of people, including IT professionals, researchers, and the public, making it a dynamic and socially interactive field.

Introduction to Digital Archivist Careers