DAP accepts digital media from all Harvard Library units. As time permits, the service is available to other non-Library units with digital accessioning needs.

DAP is currently a non-fee service. Limitations on staff time and equipment availability must be factored in to project plans, please contact DAP for all project inquiries. Based on the size or scope of requests, circumstances may arise where DAP may need to recover costs, which would be discussed and agreed upon in the project agreement. DAP may also refer curatorial units to outside vendors, please contact us for more information.

Media can be ambiguous: For certain media carriers or content types, existing capabilities and workflows in Imaging Services or Media Preservation Services may be more appropriate, depending on the intended outcomes of a potential project. For example, while DAP can copy the contents of CD-A (Audio CD) or DVD-Video formatted discs, MPS may be a better choice to achieve outcomes that meet audiovisual content preservation standards. DAP will coordinate with Curatorial Units to find the best match and may refer projects to MPS or IS.

Media Preservation Services (MPS) works with Curatorial Units to digitize or transfer audiovisual (A/V) content in a variety of physical carrier media types or cloud storage locations. Curatorial Units with an existing relationship with MPS are encouraged to continue utilizing this service for A/V digitization, transfer, and generation of delivery copies for patron access. Please contact Kaylie Ackerman, Head of Media Preservation Services, for questions about A/V content to be digitized or transferred.

Imaging Services (IS) provides digitization (image-capture of physical cultural heritage materials) and digital image processing services for Curatorial Units using a project-based workflow - see the https://harvardwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AoCAAw wiki for more information.

At this time DAP does not upload content to the DRS. Upon successful imaging/copying of content, Curatorial Units are expected to review, establish intellectual control, (re-)appraise, and process their collections content prior to making the decision to send to a secure preservation repository (such as the DRS).

At project inception, DAP will work with Curatorial Units to plan for the work to be done and divide work into components (typically media or folders to be copied). Each component will have a sub-folder including the copied/imaged content, as well as associated metadata folders for reports such as file manifests, photographs of the media (if present), log files with notes about tools used, and a report on string matches of common PII types found (such as Social Security numbers). At project commencement, the Digital Accessions Specialist will identify and explain all output files to DAP partners. A guide explaining typical DAP Project outputs and processes, with many screen shots and examples, can be found in DAP Resources DAP Outputs Overview(PDF available on SharePoint, Harvard login required).

The Common Media Serviced in DAP page contains a list of media types intended for general reference. At project commencement DAP will verify if specialized media types can be read and serviced using equipment in the DAP Lab.

DAP will review the anticipated demands for media types and strive to procure the necessary equipment to read and capture data from them. However, due to the declining supply of functioning legacy media parts, this may not be feasible in all cases.

For media types listed as those DAP can not accept, please contact us to get a list of vendors utilized by other Curatorial Units at Harvard.

Creating a Disk image involves using a method of capture that replicates the content and structure of the original storage device, including visible files, system files, hidden files, and deleted files; whereas using the Logical file transfer method of capture copies visible files, preserving files intended for capture and omitting deleted files and other user accounts (which may raise privacy concerns) or blank space (which may take up more storage) (see DAP Terminology page for definitions).

An excellent resource to review when considering this question is the Digital Archival traNsfer, iNgest, and packagiNg Group (DANNNG) resource Disk Imaging Decision Factors. By default, DAP offers a logical file transfer method for creating a reliable copy of content, minimizing storage space and security issues that can be a factor when creating a disk image. The Digital Accessions Specialist is available to consult with Curatorial Units about these decision factors and can adapt the workflow to meet local needs.

DAP utilizes the Harvard Library NextCloud temporary file staging service: https://harvardwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/x/0YeUAg

Curatorial Units will be notified and granted access to their DAP Project directories in this secure location and be given sufficient time to download their content for continued appraisal and processing. Following sign-offs at project end, DAP will delete all project output from this space in NextCloud.

DAP provides accessioning services for any born-digital content. If accessioning from cloud storage or collaboration spaces (e.g. SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox), Curatorial Units will need to coordinate access permissions with the Digital Accessions Specialist. Contact DAP for details.