As more information and records are today either born-digital (created only in a digital format) or digitised, IRMS members are increasingly having to find ways to manage the authenticity and accessibility of their digital content in a reliable way over time. 

Digital formats are more vulnerable to loss and decay than paper and they cannot be left "on the shelf" without increasing the risk of loss or destruction. Luckily, there is a global digital preservation community collaborating to share best practice and experience to ensure long-term continuity of digital records for as long as required. 

To celebrate all things digital preservation, the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) are holding a truly global event - World Digital Preservation Day - today, November 5th. 

The IRMS is now canvassing interest amongst our members to launch a Digital Preservation special interest group to support those of you who are working in this field. If you or your organisation need to preserve digital content, we can provide you with a like-minded group to get started with digital preservation, to share ideas and to ask questions (e.g. how to write a policy, what best practice you could initiate, etc). If you are interested, please email groups@irms.org.uk in the first instance!