EMC offers grants to help preserve heritage

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 06 November 2007 11:05

Business IT - Technology

Cash grants of between $US5000 and $US15,000 are being offered by EMC to individuals and organisations working locally to preserve heritage materials.

"Major catastrophes such as fire or theft are definite concerns," said David Webster, managing director of EMC's Australian operation.

"But general wear and tear can result in the same kind of tragic loss. For instance, all metallic tapes will eventually become chemically unstable, and even if they are amazingly preserved, there are very few players for them now."
 
Film and prints fade, mechanical sound recordings are damaged each time they are played, and paper eventually crumbles. Without copying, irreplaceable material becomes inaccessible even if it is physically preserved.

Digital preservation is time-consuming and costly, but absolutely essential if we are to be able to pass on our cultural treasures to future generations, said Webster. "Many organisations rely on sponsorships and donations to keep their doors open, so going through a digitising process is unfeasible - which is why EMC is providing a helping hand to organisations across the world."

The company seeks projects that practice and inspire digital stewardship locally, such as the preservation of local library, museum or historical society collections; significant private collections of music, letters, or art; or the archives and records of local cultural or educational institutions and businesses.

Applications for funding must be lodged by November 30. Judging will be completed by January 30, 2008, and those successful notified by February 14.
 
For more information, visit the EMC Heritage Trust Project .