Dealing with Digital Collections: Interviews with the National Library and Selected State Libraries of Australia

Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff at the National Library of Australia and four state libraries to gain a clearer understanding of their approach to handling digital collections. While digitisation activity was high in all of the libraries, acquisition of born-digital material was low. All libraries reported holding material on obsolete formats that would be difficult to access. Concerns were expressed about resourcing digital preservation activities and strategies to manage technical issues. There was strong support for PANDORA and faith in its longer-term effectiveness. A closer relationship is called for among all institutions involved with acquiring and preserving digital objects so that better use is made of limited resources.