Digital services librarian Martha Parker was one of few selected to attend the 2017 National Digital Stewardship Residency Symposium this spring at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Founded by the Library of Congress and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Digital Stewardship Residency(NDSR) program strives to build up a community of professionals dedicated to the advancing management and preservation human achievement through digital record. Each year, the NDSR holds a symposium in pursuit of its mission, which results in collaborations, sharing of resources, and avoiding the duplication of efforts and resources. This year’s conference focused on the topics of sustainability, building a digital preservation community in public broadcasting, and building a leadership network among NDSR cohorts.
The annual conference is limited to 120 people who are working or interested in the latest trends in digital work, software and preservation. Of her experience, Parker said this was one of the best symposiums she had ever attended.
“During the meeting, I was able to interact with the residents but also with representatives from the Library of Congress, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Society of American Archivists, the Center for Research Libraries, and of course all of the residents’ hosting institutions,” said Parker.
Parker credits her travel grant to the nature of her work with librarians at University Libraries and in the surrounding states, in addition to her work with the Society of American Archivists. In regards to future symposiums, Parker hopes that someday the Library of Congress will host the NDSR symposium at the University Libraries. In light of the success of this year’s Society of Southwest Archivists Conference, which was sponsored by University Libraries, this could be possible. Parker added that it is her desire “for librarians and archivists in our geographic area to be exposed to the new discoveries and achievements of the NDSR.”