A SUMMARY OF DATA CURATION PRESERVATION ISSUES (BUDGET, COSTS, STAFFING AND SKILLS)

Preservation issues

Data curation and digital preservation are fundamental to ensuring that datasets remain accessible and reusable over time. Hassan (2025) defines data curation as the continual management and preservation of digital research data and materials throughout their lifecycle, ensuring long term accessibility for current and future users. Despite their importance, many organisations face challenges that threaten the sustainability of data curation and preservation initiatives. Among the most significant challenges affecting the sustainability of data curation and preservation are inadequate budgets, high costs and shortages of skilled personnel. These challenges are discussed below:

BUDGET AND COSTS

Budgeting is indeed one of the major challenges. Data curation and preservation require continuous financial support to maintain storage systems, preservation software, backup facilities and security measures. However, many organisations operate with limited budgets, which restrict their ability to implement effective curation strategies and maintain long term access to digital resources (Zareer &Jabeen, 2025). Limited budgets also affect organization capacity to adopt new technologies and respond to technological changes. Data curation and preservation requires regular system upgrades, format migration, and infrastructure maintenance to prevent data loss and technological obsolescence (Beagrie et al., 2009).

Closely related to budgeting is the issue of preservation costs. Data curation and preservation is expensive because it requires substantial and sustained investment to establish and maintain the trusted system. According to Adu and Nguluwe (2017), digital preservation relies on sophisticated technologies that become obsolete rapidly, necessitating ongoing migration of digital content from one format or system to another to ensure continued accessibility.  In addition, organisations must invest in storage infrastructure, preservation software, and routine maintenance activities to support long term preservation (Kim et al., 2013).  The cost of format migration can increase significantly depending on the frequency of migration and the complexity of the digital materials involved. Furthermore, maintaining legacy hardware and software environments often requires specialized expertise and dedicated storage facilities, adding to the overall financial burden. Institutions also incur considerable expenditure on system administration, integrity monitoring and technological upgrades necessary for long term preservation (Rosenthal et al., 2012).

STAFFING AND SKILLS 

Shortage of skilled personnel is a challenge in many organisations. Effective data curation and preservation requires staff with specialist knowledge in electronic records management, metadata creation, preservation workflows, and digital repository management. Shah et al. (2021) notes that these competencies are essential for supporting preservation infrastructure and ensuring that key preservation processes are effectively implemented. Beagrie et al., (2009) observed that individuals with appropriate competencies and attitudes to initiate, implement, and sustain digital preservation programmes are not readily available in many organisations. A viable digital preservation programme requires organisations to possess sufficient expertise in both electronic records management and digital preservation. According to Kim et al. (2013). digital expertise includes the ability to manage digital infrastructure, develop policies and standards, undertake cost planning, train users and implement effective backup strategies.

In conclusion, budget limitations, high preservation costs, and shortage of skilled personnel are among the most significant challenges affecting data curation and digital preservation. Addressing these issues requires sustained financial investment, strategic planning, and continuous capacity building to ensure the long-term accessibility and usability of digital resources.

REFERENCE

Adu, K. K., & Ngulube, P. (2017). Key threats and challenges to the preservation of digital records of public institutions in Ghana. Information, Communication & Society, 20(8), 1127 -1145. doi.org

Beagrie, N., Chruszcz, J., & Lavoie, B. (2009). Keeping research data safe: A cost model and guidance for UK universities. JISC

Hassan, M. D. (2025). Data curation: A perspective of information retrieval to society. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 12(3), 563-565. https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.12030040

Kim, J., Warga, E., & Moen, W. E. (2013). Competencies required for digital curation: An analysis of job advertisements. International Journal of Digital Curation, 8(1), 66 - 83.

Rosenthal, D. S. H., Robertson, T., Lipkis, T., Reich, V., & Morabito, S. (2012). Requirements for digital preservation systems: A bottom-up approach. D-Lib Magazine, 18(11/12).

Shah, Usman Ali; Hussain, Mohammad; Saddiqa, Ms; and Yar, Muhammad Shehr, (2021.) "Problems and Challenges in the Preservation of Digital Contents: An Analytical Study” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 5628. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5628

Zareef, M., & Jabeen, M. (2025b). Systematic literature review of digital curation services in academic libraries (2001 - 2023): A global perspective. Journal of Information Science, 1 - 29. https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515241305348