The Importance of Digital Preservation and Enhancement in Cultural Heritage

Digital alternatives are continuing to allow us to preserve our heritage in different ways. They are easing the creation of content and continue to generate exponential growth in the digital world. 3D alternatives, AI (artificial intelligence), mobile apps and virtual reality,- are just a few alternative solutions being used to improve access to the cultural heritage and art industry. With around 95% of people using the internet each day, building an online presence is key to a successful business. 

Many museums and other institutions have received funding to support the digitisation of their organisations. Although the industry is continuing to improve with virtual tours of museums now available, libraries going digital and the selling of artwork as NFTs, there is still a need to continue to expand and make it much more accessible and sustainable.

It may be that Covid 19 has excelled organisations into the digital world, much quicker than they may have originally planned. Many museums and heritage attractions offer access to their collections online, new and improved websites and live streaming of tours online to continue engaging people during the lockdowns. These digital platforms can provide new ways to document and preserve and transmit them to future generations.

Digital preservation will future proof museums and heritage organisations and enhance the cultural heritage sector.

With new digital technologies, digital materials can sometimes be short-lived and require proper maintenance, management and storage. This can run the risk of negatively impacting the environment.

COP26 took place at the end of last year, a UN climate change conference, where world leaders met to discuss the urgent need to address environmental issues. All these new digital technologies impact the environment and as a sector, we must ensure that we are informed enough to know how we can limit them. A couple of ways that we can do this are to look for sustainable online methods. How does the 3D technology impact the servers, the people who are providing your technology – are they eco friendly? You can also make sure your website is ‘green hosted’ by visiting The Green Web Foundation website to check. 

Bigger organisations need to set an example and start using their resources to find useful solutions and give advice to others about what they have learnt. They can show other organisations the way and inspire them to do the same.

Overall the impact of new digital technologies is positive. These new advancements are not a replacement for visitors but they will benefit the sector massively. Paving the way for new changes as well as being actively aware of the impact on the environment.