Caring for Digital Files

Abstract

As a digital archivist, my work focuses on preserving and providing access to digital files. I also share resources with communities to support those interested in preserving their own digital archives. I have witnessed first-hand how zines effectively contribute to community-building and resource-sharing. As well as creating personal zines, as an undergraduate I served as the zine editor of my university’s Women*’s Network and, at a previous institution, I co-organized the University Libraries Zinefest. These experiences using zines to connect with the community were overwhelmingly positive, and I learned how zines encouraged knowledge sharing. This inspired me to create a one-sheet zine designed to introduce core digital preservation concepts in an accessible format.  

Created for distribution at Archives & Special Collections events, the zine offers concise, practical guidance for managing common personal digital records, including photos, emails, and social media content. It enables individuals to preserve their digital legacies through simple, actionable steps. The zine's visual and informal format reduces the barriers of technical language, while a QR code provides access to additional resources with more in-depth information. As well as extending the reach of traditional archival instruction, the zine aligns with broader shifts in archival practice toward community-based, non-custodial partnerships by empowering communities to retain control of their own archives.