The Connecticut State Library has hired Mark Conrad as an Information Management Consultant to assist with a federally funded digital records preservation project. Funded through the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the "Archives Connection System: Planning to Preserve Connecticut's Digital Government History" project consists of two parts. Mark will be responsible for the first part of the project: researching potential digital preservation repository systems and collecting data on their capability to sequester and preserve restricted digital records. This research will be the foundation for developing a plan and issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for future funding requests for a secure digital repository to preserve and protect restricted digital records. Mark may also be asked to contribute research, analysis, or feedback, to expand and improve the automatic digital connection system required to transfer essential long-term and historically significant digital records from state agencies to a digital repository for unrestricted digital records, currently the Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA).
Mark is interested in receiving information about how other state government archives are dealing with restricted archival electronic records. He is particularly interested in information on: preservation systems used; costs for both operations and maintenance; transfer policies and procedures; ingest tools; archival processing tools; digital forensics tools; staffing and funding levels; and lessons learned along the way. Any information you would be willing to share will be most appreciated. It will be very useful as Mark develops the RFI for this project.
Most of Mark's work is being done remotely from his home base in West Virginia. The easiest way to contact him is via email at Mark.Conrad@ct.gov. He is also happy to schedule a phone call or an online meeting to discuss the project with you.
About Mark:
Mark is an archivist with over thirty years of experience working with archival electronic records. He spent twenty-eight years working at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). He is also a member of the working group that developed and maintains ISO 14721 – Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System and ISO 16363 - Audit and Certification of Trustworthy Digital Repositories and related standards.
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Allen Ramsey
Assistant State Archivist
Connecticut State Library
Hartford CT
(860) 566-1100 x. 302
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