Creative Commons Zero (CC0) licenses © Claudio Schwarz
The sixteenth eArchiving Initiative training webinar examines the practical aspects of database archiving, focusing on the methodology and tools used in production environments.
Databases pose unique preservation challenges due to their complex structures and dynamic nature. This webinar presents the approach used by The National Archives of Estonia, covering the complete workflow from appraisal to archival storage.
The session will address:
- Legal framework and appraisal criteria for databases
- Overview of database models (relational, NoSQL) and their implications for archiving
- The 9-step archiving process: initiation, kick-off meeting, database cloning, test extractions, appraisal, final extraction, documentation, and completion
- SIARD format introduction and a peek inside
- Database Preservation Toolkit (DBPTK): introduction, different ways of using it
- Required metadata and technical documentation
The webinar will include demonstrations of DBPTK for creating SIARD packages, using both the GUI tool and the command line. Participants will also learn how to view archived database snapshots and experience the difference in complexity of searches between SQL queries on a live database and the all-fields-indexed search in the DBPTK desktop.
This practical session is designed for archivists and IT professionals responsible for preserving database content in their organisations.
The training webinar will be presented by Koit Saarevet of the National Archives of Estonia on Friday, 20 June 2025, 10.00–11.00 CEST.
Practical information about the webinar will be provided once registration is complete.