Digital libraries: Digital Preservation Coalition

Richard Ovenden, Associate Director and Keeper of Special Collections, Bodleian Library, University of Oxford was elected chair of the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC).

Founded 2001, the DPC is a not-for-profit membership organisation whose primary objective is to raise awareness of the importance of the preservation of digital material and the attendant strategic, cultural and technological issues. 

Richard Ovenden is the third chair of the Coalition succeeding Ronald Milne who became Chair in 2006 and Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library who originally chaired the organisation.  

Richard Ovenden said: ‘I’m delighted to take on this role at an exciting time for the Coalition. With thirty members the DPC is a diverse and large coalition, representing a significant cross section of the scientific and cultural organisations in the UK and Ireland. All face the same challenge of ensuring that our digital memory is available for future generations. It makes sense that we all work together to achieve this common goal.  The challenge – and the opportunity – is shared by all of us.’

The members of the DPC include the following world-famous organizations: the British Library (BL), the Cambridge University Library, the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries (MLA), the National Archives, the National Archives of Scotland (NAS), the National Library of Scotland (NLS), the Research Libraries UK (RLUK), the Research Councils UK, the University of Oxford, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) etc.