In my experience, writable DVDs are not a stable backup medium. If you
really want to go the DIY, simple as possible route, I suggest that
you get 3-4 of the drives and rotate them.

On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 7:34 AM, James Gilbert
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi Josh,
>
> I lurked on this thread, as I did not know the size of your institution.
>
> Being a public library serving about 24,000 residents - we have the
> small-institution issues as well for this type of project. We recently
> tackled a similar situation and the solution:
>
> 1) Purchase a 3TB SeaGate external network storage device (residential drive
> from Best Buy)
> 2) Burn archived materials to DVD
> 3) Copy files to external storage (on site in my server room)
> 4) DVDs reside off-site (we are still determining where this would be, as
> the library does not have a Safe Deposit Box)
>
> This removes external companies, and the data is quick trip home and back.
>
> I know it is not elaborate and fancy, very little code... but it was $150
> for the drive; and cost of DVDs.
>
> James Gilbert, BS, MLIS
> Systems Librarian
> Whitehall Township Public Library
> 3700 Mechanicsville Road
> Whitehall, PA 18052
>
> 610-432-4330 ext: 203
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Joshua Welker
> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2013 10:09 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Digital collection backups
>
> Matt,
>
> I appreciate the information. At that price, it looks like MetaArchive would
> be a better option than most of the other services mentioned in this thread.
> At this point, I think it is going to come down to a LOCKSS solution such as
> what MetaArchive provides or Amazon Glacier. We anticipate our digital
> collection growing to about 3TB in the first two years. With Glacier, that
> would be $368 per year vs $3,072 per year for MetaArchive and LOCKSS. As
> much as I would like to support library initiatives like LOCKSS, we are a
> small institution with a very small budget, and the pricing of Glacier is
> starting to look too good to pass up.
>
> Josh Welker
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matt
> Schultz
> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2013 8:49 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Digital collection backups
>
> Hi Josh,
>
> Glad you are looking into LOCKSS as a potential solution for your needs and
> that you are thinking beyond simple backup solutions for more long-term
> preservation. Here at MetaArchive Cooperative we make use of LOCKSS to
> preserve a range of content/collections from our member institutions.
>
> The nice thing (I think) about our approach and our use of LOCKSS as an
> embedded technology is that you as an institution retain full control over
> your collections in the preservation network and get to play an active and
> on-going part in their preservation treatment over time. Storage costs in
> MetaArchive are competitive ($1/GB/year), and with that you get up to 7
> geographic replications. MetaArchive is international at this point and so
> your collections really do achieve some safe distance from any disasters
> that may hit close to home.
>
> I'd be more than happy to talk with you further about your collection needs,
> why we like LOCKSS, and any interest your institution may have in being part
> of a collaborative approach to preserving your content above and beyond
> simple backup. Feel free to contact me directly.
>
> Matt Schultz
> Program Manager
> Educopia Institute, MetaArchive Cooperative http://www.metaarchive.org
> [log in to unmask]
> 616-566-3204
>
> On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 5:20 PM, Joshua Welker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> We are starting a digitization project for some of our special
>> collections, and we are having a hard time setting up a backup system
>> that meets the long-term preservation needs of digital archives. The
>> backup mechanisms currently used by campus IT are short-term full-server
> backups.
>> What we are looking for is more granular, file-level backup over the
>> very long term. Does anyone have any recommendations of software or
>> some service or technique? We are looking into LOCKSS but haven't dug too
> deeply yet.
>> Can anyone who uses LOCKSS tell me a bit of their experiences with it?
>>
>> Josh Welker
>> Electronic/Media Services Librarian
>> College Liaison
>> University Libraries
>> Southwest Baptist University
>> 417.328.1624
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Matt Schultz
> Program Manager
> Educopia Institute, MetaArchive Cooperative http://www.metaarchive.org
> [log in to unmask]
> 616-566-3204



-- 
Cary Gordon
The Cherry Hill Company
http://chillco.com