The Need to Formalize Trust Relationships in Digital Repositories

Many disparate groups are concerned about the deluge of digital data brought about by the Information Age. The diversity of constituencies concerned with digital preservation, coupled with the current general need for reliable resources for preservation infrastructure, suggests that collaborative relationships that cross institutional and sector boundaries will provide important and promising ways to deal with the data preservation challenge. Successful preservation partnerships require that roles and responsibilities of the partners be clearly defined. Formal trust agreements can create the foundation on which certification for trustworthy digital repository status will be built. The successful preservation of valuable digital assets will require the expertise and collaboration of many institutions, both public and commercial, to help craft the reliable, economically sustainable, and trusted environments necessary for housing, managing, and ensuring the global knowledge over time.