Background - Using Digital Archive Records
State Agency Participation - Contact Us

Background

Wisconsin statutes, as amended by 1991 Wisconsin Act 285, require Wisconsin state agencies to send copies of their publications to the Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library for distribution to libraries through the Wisconsin Document Depository Program. The Wisconsin Document Depository Program collects and distributes state publications to Wisconsin libraries. This program preserves and makes available a record of major state government programs and assures the availability of state publications for use by the public throughout Wisconsin now and in the future. Many of these publications are now born-digital, that is, published only on the Web. As more documents are provided exclusively in digital formats, particularly on the Internet, the requirement to comply with this law has become more challenging.

The Wisconsin Digital Archives is a collaborative effort involving the Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Law Library. The primary goals of the Wisconsin Digital Archives are to develop strategies for providing permanent electronic access to web content located on Wisconsin state agency websties and to identify a way state agencies can continue to fulfill their statutory obligation to participate in the Wisconsin Document Depository Program with electronic formats.

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Using Digital Archive Records

Since October, 2005 monthly shipping lists of fully catalogued digital archive records have been made available for use by all libraries regardless of despository status. Libraries are encouraged to donwload digital archive records into local OPACs from WorldCat or WISCAT. It is not currently mandatory to download digital archive records into local OPACs in order to maintain depository status. However, it is encouraged as a way to provide perspective on state government that otherwise is missing in print formats.

Unlike other URLs, digital archive URLs are constant. Access to content through the digital arachive URL will remain regardless of what changes are made to the original URL. To see a complete listing of digitally archived items that have been catalogued, go to WISCAT at www.wiscat.net. Click Advanced Search and enter the term digitalarchive as one word under All Headings. Press [Enter] to get a complete listing. To narrow your search by agency, enter the state agency as the Author.

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State Agency Participation

Wisconsin state agencies are encouraged to participate in the Wisconsin Digital Archives by identifying URLs of online publications located on state agency website that are at-risk and should be digitally archived as part of their statutory obligation to participate in the Wisconsin Document Depository Program. This includes new content, content that has been significantly updated or revised, or content scheduled to be removed from a state agency website. Library staff are available to assist state agencies analyze electronic information for compatibility with project guidelines. Click here for more information about how your state agency can participate in the Wisconsin Digital Archives.

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Contact Us

For more information or to schedule a demonstration of the Digital Archive, please contact:

Abby Swanton
Wisconsin Document Depository Librarian
Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library
2109 South Stoughton Road
Madison, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 224-6174
Fax: (608) 224-6178
Email: Abbigail.Swanton@dpi.wi.gov

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Last updated on 4/10/2008 11:24:34 AM