New Guide Helps Poets Preserve Digital Work

WashU Libraries are pleased to announce the release of The Poet’s Guide to Digital Preservation, a new resource created through the Born-Digital Poetry: Planning for the Future of Literary Archives project, a multi-year initiative of WashU Libraries funded by the Mellon Foundation.

“Born digital” refers to materials created directly in a digital environment, while “digital preservation” refers to the ongoing actions needed to maintain continued access to those materials. The guide provides practical recommendations that poets and other writers can implement immediately to support the longevity of their work.

As contemporary creative practice increasingly takes place in digital environments, poets face new challenges in managing, organizing, and preserving their files. The strategies discussed in the guide reflect concerns shared by poets and translators through project workshops and a nationwide survey.

The guide was written by the Born-Digital Poetry team along with Advisory Board members Mary Jo Bang, Aditi Machado, and Layla Goushey. It also features original illustrations by St. Louis-based illustrator Dan Zettwoch.

For more information or to access the guide, visit the Born-Digital Poetry project page. If you would like printed copies of the guide or have questions or suggestions, contact the project team at borndigitalpoetry@wustl.edu.