Archivability

Archivability is the capacity of digital objects to be preserved and remain accessible over time. It encompasses the persistence of content, its authenticity, and its usability, considering both the technical format and the organizational context that sustains access.

Key factors influencing archivability include the use of open, well-documented file formats; the presence of comprehensive preservation metadata (descriptive, technical, rights, and provenance information); and the documentation of dependencies such as software, hardware, and related datasets. Ensuring bit-level integrity through checksums and regular fixity verification, along with robust packaging and storage strategies, also contributes to long-term accessibility.

Preservation approaches commonly associated with archivability include format migration, emulation of older computing environments, and encapsulation of content within stable packaging. The OAIS (Open Archival Information System) reference model provides a framework for long-term preservation and accessibility, while preservation metadata standards such as PREMIS support the traceability of authenticity and provenance. Packaging standards like METS or BagIt help organize content and its metadata for durable storage.

Governance, policy, and funding are critical to archivability. This includes selecting trustworthy repositories, defining access and rights policies, ensuring metadata persistence, and sustaining technical infrastructure over time. Human factors—curation decisions, staff expertise, and community governance—shape which formats and metadata are prioritized.

Challenges to archivability include software and hardware obsolescence, dependencies on proprietary tools, evolving legal or ethical constraints, and the risk of unsustainable costs. Effective archivability relies on deliberate planning, standardized practices, and ongoing stewardship.