Web archiving in a Web 2.0 world

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of web archiving in Australia, and how libraries are adapting their services in recognition of the expanding role that online material plays in their collections.Design/methodology/approachThe National Library of Australia is the lead institution for digital archiving and preservation in Australia. Its PANDORA Archive has been the repository for archived web resources in Australia for over ten years and is a mature but continually developing system. The archival management system PANDAS that underpins the Archive, is as of 2007, in its third major revision. Other web archiving activities also now include annual Australian Domain Harvests and the usage of Archive‐It, both of which are conducted in conjunction with the Internet Archive.FindingsFor many years it was considered that archiving could only ever completely capture a small, albeit representative, sample of the internet. Today the gap between what is available and what can be archived is decreasing. But as our archives and our archiving abilities increase, we are still confronted by new technologies and Web 2.0 applications.Originality/valueUsing as an example the 2007 Federal Election in which a large number of interactive sites such as Kevin07, MySpace and YouTube were archived the paper shows how Australian web archivers continue to adapt to and meet new challenges.