ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess

Abstract Number: 5163
Poster No. = 1107


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C. A. Tancin, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA 15213-3890 USA, M. Beasley, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, J.F. Reed, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York, USA


Many information professionals find digitization great for access, poor for preservation. What does this mean for long-term accessibility of the record of scientific work in botany? Electronic information has become an alternative to traditional publication and information sharing, but it can deteriorate more quickly than paper. Disks fail randomly, and damaged files look like undamaged ones until they're opened (or fail to open). The ephemeral nature of electronic information, the need for constant data conversion, and the resources needed for long-term storage and retrieval all raise problems for preservation. Magnetic media are also at risk. Libraries are wrestling with these issues now. Only internationally recognized standards and an understanding of preservation requirements and limitations will safeguard scientific knowledge for the future.John F. ReedNew York Botanical GardenBronx, New York 10458, USA

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