As a longstanding member of the DLM Forum, Latvian National Archives, were following the work being done on the CEF eArchiving Building block regarding digital preservation. They identified, that their geodata producers and their technical staff have a need to learn more about preservation of digital geospatial data. And so, a one-day introduction training workshop was organized by mr. Gatis Karlsons, the deputy director of the Latvian National Archives. The workshop was led by mr. Gregor Završnik, the lead geospatial preservation consultant from Geoarh and a partner on the EARK3 project.
The initial purpose of the workshop was to introduce the Archivists to the basics of geospatial records, how and where they are used, and which elements are important for digital preservation. However due to great interest among some of the Latvian geodata producers, the workshop was extended to also cover their role during the lifecycle of digital Geospatial data and its preservation.
The workshop was based on the E-ARK CITS specification for Digital Geospatial data preservation and showed the attendees how the geodata producers and archivists can use the specification to package and document the geospatial data through the OAIS process, so it can be reused in the future in an interoperable way. The workshop also covered the introduction to existing tools that can be used for Geodata management and distribution in the archives.
During the workshop, a lot of questions were raised on the specific changes the geodata producers need to make to their geodata lifecycle and what tools from the E-ARK pool can be used. All agreed, that a one-day workshop was a good way to introduce preservation professionals to the topic. Everyone agreed, that more advanced trainings will be needed in the future, when actual digital preservation projects will take place.
The workshop was attended by 13 attendees who came from Latvian National Archives, Cartographic department of the Latvian Maritime Administration, Latvijas Gāze (Latvian Gas company) and Lithuanian National Archives.
