What roles do digital archivists play in an organization?

Digital archivists play a critical role in ensuring the preservation and accessibility of collections within an organization. This involves not only maintaining the integrity of digital records over time but also implementing strategies to ensure that these records remain usable and accessible to users. Digital archivists must engage with a range of archival practices that include selecting materials for preservation, storing them using appropriate formats to prevent data loss or degradation, and providing access methods that accommodate varied user needs and technologies.

In contrast, while managing digital infrastructure is important, it is just one aspect of the broader responsibilities of digital archivists, which include preservation and access. Facilitating user engagement and access emphasizes the user-focused aspects of the role but does not fully encompass the preservation responsibilities that are also vital. Lastly, overseeing financial management of archive budgets may be part of broader managerial roles in an organization but is not a primary function of digital archivists specifically, whose main focus lies in the lifecycle management of digital archival materials.