Since its inception in 2012, the Preserving digital Objects With Restricted Resources (Digital POWRR) Project has worked to make digital preservation more practical, approachable, and accessible for cultural heritage professionals, particularly those working with limited staff, funding, technical infrastructure, or specialized expertise.
Over more than a decade, Digital POWRR has developed and delivered hands-on workshops, multi-day Institutes, cohort-based training programs, assessment initiatives, and freely available resources designed to help practitioners move from digital preservation theory to realistic action.
Current POWRR Activities
With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Digital POWRR is completing its latest series of two and a half day long training institutes, including a rescheduled Institute at the University of Washington Libraries in Seattle in May 2027.
A new award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services will support the next phase of POWRR training, including development of the Digital POWRR Academy, an intensive cohort-based professional development experience, and the Digital Preservation Summer Institute, which will provide intermediate and advanced training opportunities for the broader digital preservation community.
POWRR’s previous grant-funded work, including the Digital POWRR Peer Assessment Program, continues to inform our training, resources, and approach to helping organizations build sustainable digital preservation practices.
Digital POWRR also continues to seek external funding to support additional training opportunities, resource development, and other activities that respond to emerging needs in the digital preservation community. Organizations interested in partnering with Digital POWRR, supporting future training, or exploring collaborative opportunities are encouraged to contact us.
Digital POWRR is a collaborative initiative led by library professionals at the University of Arizona Libraries and Northern Illinois University Library.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed through Digital POWRR do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Last Modified: 10/3/2026
