Managing Web resources for persistent access

Compiled in collaboration with the IFLA Office for International Lending

Managing Web resources for persistent access

The persistence of links to online resources is essential to ensure long-term public access to Web-based materials. The National Library of Australia has just produced a set of guidelines called Managing Web Resources for Persistent Access designed to assist those responsible for the management of online materials to ensure that links made to those resources continue to work.

The guidelines provide advice on determining the categories of resources that require persistent access and systems for managing persistence such as redirects, resolver databases or persistent identifier services. The guidelines also provide information on how to organise a Web site to reduce the need to move material around, and to keep older material accessible.

The guidelines can be found at http://www.nla.gov.au/guidelines/2000/persistence.htmlor a printed copy may be obtained by contacting the Electronic Unit, National Library of Australia. E-mail at elecunit@nla.gov.auTel: + 61 2 62621140.

Source: Julie Whiting, National Library of Australia