The State of Workforce Funding for Digital Preservation in 2024

Operationalizing Technology in Historical Organizations: Challenges and Requirements

The Grant To Enhance Tech And Security In Historical Organizations by the Foundation aims to support historical organizations in leveraging technology to preserve and present their collections. As an operations-focused initiative, this grant requires applicants to demonstrate a clear understanding of the operational challenges and requirements involved in implementing technology solutions.

Technology Infrastructure and Delivery Challenges

Historical organizations face unique delivery challenges when it comes to implementing technology solutions. One verifiable delivery challenge is the need to balance the preservation of physical artifacts with the adoption of digital technologies. For instance, digitizing collections requires significant resources and infrastructure, including scanners, software, and storage solutions. Moreover, ensuring the long-term accessibility and usability of digital collections is a complex task that requires careful planning and expertise.

In terms of technology infrastructure, historical organizations must also consider the security and integrity of their digital collections. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access. The New York State Archives' Digital Preservation Guidelines, for example, provide a framework for historical organizations to manage and preserve their digital assets.

Staffing and Resource Requirements

To successfully implement technology solutions, historical organizations need to have the right staffing and resources in place. This includes having personnel with the necessary technical expertise to manage and maintain digital collections. Additionally, organizations may need to invest in training and professional development to ensure that staff have the skills needed to effectively utilize technology.

In terms of resource requirements, historical organizations should consider the costs associated with implementing and maintaining technology solutions. This includes not only the initial investment in hardware and software but also ongoing expenses such as maintenance, support, and upgrades. The Foundation's grant funding can help support these costs, but applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of their resource requirements and how they will be sustained over time.

Risk Management and Compliance

Historical organizations must also be aware of the risks associated with implementing technology solutions. One key risk is non-compliance with relevant regulations and standards, such as the New York State Archives' Digital Preservation Guidelines mentioned earlier. Failure to comply with these guidelines can result in loss of funding or other penalties.

Another risk is the potential for technology solutions to exacerbate existing inequalities or create new barriers to access. For example, if a historical organization's digital collections are not designed with accessibility in mind, they may be inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of these risks and how they will be mitigated.

Measuring Success: Outcomes and KPIs

To evaluate the success of technology initiatives, historical organizations must establish clear outcomes and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This may include metrics such as the number of digital collections made available online, the level of user engagement with digital resources, or the number of staff trained in digital preservation and curation.

The Foundation will require grantees to report on these outcomes and KPIs as part of their grant reporting requirements. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of how they will measure the success of their technology initiatives and how they will use this information to inform future decision-making.

One concrete regulation that applies to this sector is the New York State Archives' Digital Preservation Guidelines, which provide a framework for managing and preserving digital assets.

Q: What types of technology projects are eligible for funding under this grant? A: The Foundation is interested in supporting a range of technology projects, including digitization initiatives, digital preservation and curation, and technology infrastructure upgrades. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of their technology needs and how they align with the Foundation's priorities.

Q: How do I ensure that my organization's technology infrastructure is secure and compliant with relevant regulations? A: Historical organizations should consult with technology experts and relevant authorities, such as the New York State Archives, to ensure that their technology infrastructure is secure and compliant with relevant regulations, such as the Digital Preservation Guidelines.

Q: What outcomes and KPIs will the Foundation require grantees to report on? A: The Foundation will require grantees to report on outcomes and KPIs related to their technology initiatives, such as the number of digital collections made available online or the level of user engagement with digital resources. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of how they will measure the success of their technology initiatives and how they will use this information to inform future decision-making.