Benchmarking digital preservation with the Digital Preservation Coalition’s Rapid Assessment Model: A case study

This paper describes how Michigan State University Libraries used the Digital Preservation Coalition’s Rapid Assessment Model (DPC RAM) to evaluate its digital preservation practices. Using the model, a small group of librarians established a baseline of digital preservation activities at the Libraries and made recommendations for incremental improvements. By keeping the working group small and consulting stakeholders as needed, the benchmarking process was completed within a short timeline and resulted in a concise report that provided a digestible and accurate picture of digital preservation initiatives at the time of the evaluation, as well as realistic goals for the next 18 months. Sharing the report with library administration led to a charge to establish working groups that would test two preservation systems and evaluate their usefulness as tools for expanding digital preservation practices at the Libraries. The format of the model ensured that evaluation and goal-setting were straightforward, even in the absence of any unit or position dedicated to digital preservation. Speaking with peers at other institutions has revealed a need for a simple tool like the DPC RAM that can be completed more quickly than other preservation evaluation frameworks, especially given the lack of administrative support for digital preservation at many institutions.