Transition from audio-visual archives to trusted digital repository at the National Archives of Zimbabwe

Abstract

While many organisations are shifting from analogue to digital formats for audio-visual archiving, some institutions in developing countries continue to rely on outdated formats. This qualitative case study explored the ingestion of audio-visual archives into a trusted digital repository at the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ). The study was guided by constructs from literature, the life cycle concept and the digital curation centre (DCC) model. The DCC model was adopted in this study to facilitate understanding of how audio-visual archives in digital formats can be acquired, safeguarded, and preserved over a long period to enhance access. For data collection, one of the researchers physically visited the NAZ to conduct interviews, observations, and document reviews. The findings revealed that the ingestion of audio-visual archives was still at an embryonic stage. However, the reality of emerging digital technologies in audio-visual archiving enabled the NAZ to respond appropriately through the establishment of a film digitisation project. The slow uptake of digital audio-visual archives was attributed to the absence of an acquisition policy in place, outdated archival legislation, inadequate infrastructure, the absence of vibrant digital preservation strategies, and low levels of digital skills. Based on the research findings, the study concluded that the NAZ should embrace the transition of audio-visual archives to trusted digital repository. The study recommended a framework to facilitate the transition of audio-visual archives to trusted digital repository.