What will remain of our publications, collections and digital records when the platforms that carry them disappear, their formats become obsolete or funding priorities change?
This foresight conversation considers how libraries and cultural institutions can plan for the continued accessibility of contemporary digital records. It explores questions of web archiving, provenance, custodianship, institutional continuity and future use, while leaving open the different approaches required for different kinds of material and institutional contexts.
The session asks what libraries need to consider when they begin building a digital record of contemporary cultural life, and how they can preserve not only records themselves but also the information needed to understand, locate and responsibly use them in the future.
Dr. Walid Ghali
Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Head Librarian at Aga Khan University; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr. Khawla El Akkili
Khawla El Akkili is an archives specialist with over twelve years of experience in library and archival science with a background in international studies and diplomacy. Her professional interests span digital archives, documentary heritage preservation, institutional memory, and the application of emerging technologies to archival practice. She is interested in colonial archives, the preservation and interpretation of historical collections, and the role of archives in documenting histories and supporting research. Her interests also extend to museums and exhibitions, with a focus on innovative approaches to presenting historical materials, exploring diverse historical narratives, and making cultural heritage accessible to wider audiences. She is passionate about examining the connections between archival practice, historical research, and public engagement. She currently serves as Digital Archives Specialist at the Africa Institute, Global Studies University, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.