Digitization of audio-visual materials at the Iranian Broadcasting (IRIB) centers: barriers and strategies

This study reports the quantity and the variety of archival sources, equipments, and digitization in the IRIB archives throughout the country. It discusses barriers to digitization of archives at IRIB and seeks strategies for optimization of the process. Research Method/Approach: To collect data for this study, a researcher designed questionnaire was distributed among professionals working in the archivesFindings and Only one archive in Tehran has completed digitization. The IRIB center for Khozestan province reported 90% completion of the job. 9 in Tehran and 13 in other cities have partially digitized their holdings. 11 in Tehran and 21 in other cities have not embarked of digitization yet. Shortages in resources, qualified personnel, lack of strategy, the quantity of the material to be digitized, and lack of the equipment are stated to be the barriers to completing the task.