Sample interview questions: How do you handle the challenges of preserving and providing access to digital materials that are part of ongoing social justice or activism movements?
Sample answer:
Challenges of Preserving and Providing Access to Digital Social Justice Materials:
- Volatility of digital content: Digital materials can be easily altered, deleted, or lost, especially in volatile environments.
- Diversity and complexity of formats: Social justice movements often use a wide range of digital formats, from social media posts to encrypted messages. Preserving these materials requires expertise in diverse file types.
- Ethical and legal considerations: Activist materials may contain sensitive information or be subject to legal restrictions. Balancing access with ethical and legal obligations can be challenging.
- Lack of resources: Many social justice organizations have limited resources for digital preservation. Archives must find innovative and cost-effective solutions.
- Rapidly changing context: Social justice movements evolve and their records need to be interpreted in their contemporary context.
Strategies for Preservation and Access:
- Regular monitoring and backup: Implement systems for regularly monitoring and backing up digital materials from various sources.
- Collaboration with activists: Partner with social justice organizations to understand their preservation needs and develop tailored preservation strategies.
- Format conversion and migration: Convert and migrate digital materials to stable and accessible formats to ensure long-term preservation.
- Use of secure storage and access systems: Employ robust storage systems and access controls to protect sensitive materials… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/18_0_19/Digital%20Archivist