Arkivkopier

Arkivkopier are copies of information resources produced for long-term preservation in archival settings. They are intended to ensure continued access to records and maintain their authenticity, integrity, and provenance over extended periods, even as media, formats, and technologies change. Arkivkopier contrast with working or access copies, which are optimized for current use and may be disposed of or replaced more readily.

In digital contexts, arkivkopier typically include archival copies of digital objects, accompanied by preservation metadata, fixity information (such as checksums), and documentation of provenance. They are created through ingest processes that select, verify, and store material in stable formats and durable storage environments. The goal is to preserve both the content and its contextual information, enabling future reuse and interpretation.

Standards and frameworks often guide arkivkopier, with the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) model providing a reference architecture for long-term preservation. Other important elements include metadata schemas (for provenance, rights, and technical details), preservation actions (like format migration or emulation when necessary), and routine integrity checks. Repositories may implement redundant storage across geographic locations and use regular audits to detect and fix data degradation.

Legal and ethical considerations are also central. Arkivkopier must respect copyright, privacy, and access policies while balancing the need for long-term preservation with user needs. Institutions typically define accessioning, retention periods, access controls, and disclosure rules to govern how arkivkopier are managed and accessed by researchers and the public.