Which of the following is a benefit of using digital archives?

Using digital archives significantly enhances the preservation potential of fragile materials. These materials, which may be prone to deterioration over time due to physical handling, environmental conditions, or material degradation, can be digitized and stored in a controlled digital environment. This helps to mitigate the risk of loss or damage that occurs with physical documents. By creating digital copies, organizations can ensure that original items are preserved while still allowing for access to the content in a way that minimizes the wear and tear on the physical items.

In addition to improving preservation, digital archives offer the benefit of broader access for users, as digital materials can be accessed remotely and shared widely without the constraints imposed by physical storage. This aspect underlines the transformative role that digital preservation plays in the archiving field. In contrast, other options such as limited accessibility, the reduced need for standards, and dependence on physical storage do not accurately capture the advantages of digital archiving.