British Library prepping for digital future

The British Library is preparing a digital future for its expansive collection.

A study conducted by Electronic Publishing Services and commissioned by the library reveals that within 15 years 90 per cent of all research materials in the UK will be available digitally. Half will be available in both digital and print forms, while 40 per cent will be digital only.

Based on this research, the library will make it a priority over the next three years to prepare an infrastructure to support the coming wave of digital content. It will work with other libraries, publishers and IT partners to build the systems needed to store and provide access to its collection, which contains 160 million items ranging from books and maps to sound recordings and stamps.

The immediate focus is on basics such as which formats and platforms to use for the materials.

A British Library spokesman told silicon.com: "As a national library, this material must be accessed in 200 years' time, which is not a problem most people have."

When evaluated in this light, paper seems a good option, he explained, as it's portable and doesn't require any addition support systems to read.

"Some formats from 15 years ago aren't accessible now," he added.

Security will also be key to the new digital systems, given the irreplaceable and valuable nature of the content.

Lynne Brindley, chief executive of the British Library, said in a statement: "In many ways digital material is more fragile than physical material and if we don't manage it effectively it won't survive for future generations."

To ensure the safety of the digital collection, there will be three copies of each item as well as a non-digital copy. The library will also put in place a system which allows libraries to make sure digital items are returned unaltered.

The library has embraced the move to digital publishing. It's working with a consortium to create an uncensored web archive and even stores intellectuals' email and electronic data.