Taming Organically Grown Documentation

Abstract

Documentation is a key element in the scaffolding of our digital preservation programs, and the MetaArchive—a values-driven digital preservation network hosted by and for memory organizations—is in the process of shoring up its scaffolding. Over the last fourteen years, the MetaArchive’s documentation has grown organically, resulting in information that is at times outdated and often difficult to find. In response, community members established a task force to appraise, revamp, and improve access to the documentation. This task force works in tandem with standing committees to support a broader effort to build capacity around existing tools and to foster confidence in MetaArchive infrastructure. This presentation will walk through the MetaArchive’s collaborative—albeit ongoing—process. It will facilitate discussion around supporting and improving community input on labor-intensive projects and consider how documentation activities interface with governance. This presentation will benefit audience members who are responsible for creating, managing, or migrating documentation.