Legal deposit of electronic sources : an examination of the problems and possibilities

Abstract

As the title suggests, The Legal deposit and Electronic Sources: an examination of the problems and possibilities discusses the impact of electronic sources upon legal deposit practices in New Zealand and overseas. It aimed to examine the degree to which legal deposit could stil1 be successfully managed in the electronic environment. The report explains the key components of legal deposit in general before relating these to the deposit of electronic sources. The past and present legal deposit legislation are discussed alongside legislation from overseas that also provides electronic deposit mandates. A sizeable section of the research covers the plethora of technical problems inherent in attempting to provide long-term access and preservation of electronic material. The place of electronic legal deposit in the creation of an information society is also explored. Finally the report includes a section on collaboration and co-operation as a means to better utilising legal deposit and finding solutions to the problems.