The International Research on Permanent Authentic Records in Electronic Systems (InterPARES Project) is a "major international research initiative in which archival scholars, computer engineering scholars, national archival institutions and private industry representatives are collaborating to develop the theoretical and methodological knowledge required for the permanent preservation of authentic records created in electronic systems.
"[1] As a global consortia that works to develop preservation strategies, the project focuses on "developing the knowledge essential to the long-term preservation of authentic records created and/or maintained in digital form and providing the basis for standards, policies, strategies and plans of action capable of ensuring the longevity of such material and the ability of its users to trust its authenticity.
[2] During Phase 1, researchers found that the classic concept of records hindered their ability to fully understand and engage with electronic systems and that a complementary inductive framework was needed.
[12] The primary objective of Phase 2 was “to ensure that the portion of society’s recorded memory digitally produced in dynamic, experiential, and interactive systems in the course of artistic, scientific, and e-government activities can be created in accurate and reliable form, and maintained and preserved in authentic form, both in the short and long term, for the use of those who created it and of society at large, regardless of digital technology obsolescence and media fragility.”[13] By achieving a better understanding of these records, their process of creation, and their potential use, InterPARES 2 built upon the findings of InterPARES 1 “to address the challenge of the permanent preservation of reliable, accurate, and authentic digital records created and maintained in interactive and dynamic systems in the course of all kinds of human activities.”[13] The project’s study of complex system cases across various fields led to a reconsideration of the concept of the electronic record determined during the first phase, along with the development of policy frameworks, creator and preserver guidelines, benchmark requirements, file format selection guidelines, a terminology database, and two records management models (the Chain of Preservation Model and the Business-Driven Recordkeeping Model).
ITrust was “a multi-national, interdisciplinary research project exploring issues of trust and trustworthiness of records and data in online environments.
"[17] The project's goal was to "generate the theoretical and methodological frameworks to develop local, national and international policies, procedures, regulations, standards and legislation, in order to ensure public trust grounded on evidence of good governance, a strong digital economy, and a persistent digital memory.”[18] Researchers who participated in ITrust were experts in a variety of fields, including archival science, diplomatics, records management, law, information technology, information governance, information policy, digital forensics, cybersecurity, computer engineering, e-commerce, and communication.
Among these resources is “brochure-style document, created by The InterPARES 2 Project [that] can help your museum make informed decisions about creating and maintaining digital materials in ways that help ensure their preservation for as long as they are needed.”[25] The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University consulted Creator Guidelines: Making and Maintaining Digital Materials: Guidelines for Individuals from InterPARES 2 in the creation of its “Authors’ Guidelines for Preserving Digital Archives.”[26] According to Charles Sturt University’s first Professor of Library and Information Management Ross Harvey, “the potential to lose vital information with a computer upgrade is huge – including instances where the technology on storing and accessing that information shifts direction.”[27] With an increasing number of records kept in digital formats, the world has arrived at “a crisis point where we depend heavily on electronic records and we have to find new ways to protect them or we’re not only going to lose heritage and memories, but vital data needed to maintain our health and safety.”[27] In order to solve these issues, guidelines must not only be created, but also consistently followed.
The Venice Time Machine is a relatively recent example of a digitization project that suffered as a result of inconsistent adherence to the guidelines produced by InterPARES.
[28] Gianni Penzo Doria, Director of the State Archive of Venice, expressed concerns regarding the viability of the 8 terabytes of information that has already been collected.
[28] Babak Hamidzadeh, currently the Interim Dean of Libraries at the University of Maryland, described InterPARES as “one of very few efforts that bring together theoreticians and practitioners in digital preservation.” He also commended the Project for its “great work in analyzing problems that exist in practice and in providing solutions to the practitioners.”[29]