Digitization of IRIB's audio archives: Evaluation against IASA standards

Examining the state of digitization (conversion of analog to digital and digital-to-digital resources) in the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) audio archive and compare it against the standards of the International Association of Sound and Audio-Visual Archives (IASA). 6 audio archives in Tehran, and 37 staff managers and involved in converting analog audio sources to digital format were surveyed. A checklist was used to collect data from the archives. A questionnaire was designed and administered to collect views of the staff and managers. Staff and managers considered saving of time and space as the primary advantage of digitization of the analog. Digitization of 77/3% of 592937 items was completed. 72 systems are operational in the 6 archives. Only 2 have space of mass storage. Digitization met 82/7% software and 79% of hardware standards of IASA. Nearly two-third of staff have received some kind of training for digitization. The staff considered lack of appropriate infrastructure, up-to-date tools and technologies, and lack standards challenges they face.