Digital Preservation of Personal Digital Archives: A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: The production of personal digital archives in the contemporary context contrasts with the limited adoption of long-term preservation practices, constituting an emerging challenge in the information age. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the main discussions and approaches present in the literature of Information Science and Archival Science regarding the digital preservation of personal digital archives. Methodology:To this end, a narrative literature review of a qualitative nature was conducted, with searches in the E-LIS, BRAPCI, and OpenAlex databases, using the keywords: Personal Digital Archiving and related terms.Results:The results indicate that the vulnerability of personal digital collections arises from various factors, including the absence of structured preservation strategies, negligent behavior by producers, technological obsolescence, and dependence on corporate platforms without an archival mandate. However, contextual strategies pointed out in the literature converge on actions such as the development of user-centered tools, the strengthening of the educational role of archival institutions, and the construction of best practices within the community.Conclusion:Although still incipient in Information Science and Archival Science, the theme of personal digital archiving is gaining relevance. It is concluded, therefore, that the preservation of personal archives in the digital age goes beyond the technical dimension to become a practice of informational citizenship. Its implementation requires the articulation between the use of tools, knowledge of archival practices, and the agency of individuals in managing their own collections, thereby ensuring memory preservation and the exercise of their right to be remembered.