TOWARD AN ONTOLOGY OF AUDIO PRESERVATION

Abstract

This study examines a selection of philosophical frameworks that influence decision-making in audio preservation. Issues of reproduction and digitization, materiality, and the acceptance of change are considered and contextualized among other conservation specialties. Comparisons are drawn between audio recordings, fine art, and library materials, with attention to general and special collections concepts. A spectrum of authenticity is proposed and applied to three real-world case studies to demonstrate the utility of philosophical constructs as applied to audio preservation programs and techniques.

Résumé – Cette étude examine les différents cadres philosophiques qui influencent la prise de décision dans la préservation du matériel audio. Les questions de reproduction et de digitalisation, la matérialité, et l'acceptation du changement sont considérées et contextualisées par rapport à d’'autres spécialités dans le domaine de la conservation. Des comparaisons sont faites entre les enregistrements audio, les arts décoratifs et les documents de bibliothèque, avec une attention particulière portée sur les concepts reliés aux collections générales versus ceux qui s'appliquent aux collections spéciales. Un éventail de niveaux d'authenticité est proposé et appliqué à trois études de cas pour démontrer l'utilité des cadres philosophiques, tels qu'appliqués aux programmes et techniques de préservation du matériel audio.

Resumen – Este estudio examina una selección de marcos de referencia filosóficos que influyen sobre la toma de decisiones para la preservación de audio. Temas de reproducción y digitalización, la “materialidad” (el objeto mismo y su valor como artefacto), la aceptación del cambio, son considerados y contextualizados dentro de otras especialidades de conservación. Se hacen comparaciones entre grabaciones de audio, bellas artes y material de biblioteca, prestando atención a los conceptos de colecciones generales y especiales. Se propone un espectro de autenticidad y se aplica a tres estudio de casos de la vida real para demostrar la utilidad de los postulados filosóficos al ser aplicados a los programas y técnicas de preservación de audio.

Resumo – Esse estudo examina uma seleção de arcabouços filosóficos que influenciam a tomada de decisão na preservação de áudio. Questões como reprodução e digitalização, materialidade, e admissão de mudanças são consideradas e contextualizadas entre outras especialidades da conservação. Comparações são esboçadas entre gravações de áudio, belas artes e materiais bibliográficos, com atenção aos conceitos gerais e de coleções especiais. Um espectro de autenticidade é proposto e aplicado a três estudos de caso da realidade para demonstrar a utilidade das construções filosóficas quando aplicadas em técnicas e programas de preservação.

Keywords:

• Digitizing audio
• Audio preservation

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Joanna Phillips, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Hannah Frost, Stanford University; Dr. Carl Haber, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Tom Rieger, Northeast Document Conservation Center; JAIC editors; Philip Moody; and to acknowledge the TexShare program of library resource sharing, which enabled access to reference materials.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Norris

Sarah Norris is conservator at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, where she established the institution's book and paper conservation lab and program. A professional associate of the American Institute for Conservation, she received her MSIS and CAS at the University of Texas Kilgarlin Center and completed her advanced internship at The Newberry Library. Norris is webmaster of the Electronic Media Group. She has been published in the Association of Recorded Sound Collections Journal and has spoken at the International Symposium on Preserving Endangered Audio Media in Berlin. Address: Texas State Library and Archives Commission, PO Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711. Email: [email protected]