CRL is working with the California Digital Library to develop a Print Archives Preservation Registry (PAPR) system.  The system will feature a searchable database of information about print serial archiving programs, including titles held, program characteristics (such as retention period, facilities, level of validation, conditions, accessibility), and availability of titles in digital repositories.  The California Digital Library (CDL) is serving as development partner for the PAPR system, with additional advisory services provided by Ithaka S+R.

PAPR will be available in mid-2012, with additional enhancements planned for 2012-2013.  During the initial development phase, the system will ingest and manage information about archived serial holdings of CRL, certain CRL partner libraries, and the Western Regional Storage Trust (WEST).  WEST is a distributed retrospective print journal repository program serving research libraries, college and university libraries, and library consortia in the Western Region of the United States. PAPR will be used to compare and analyze journal holdings of WEST libraries, in support of identifying the next round of archiving priorities for WEST.The database will be openly searchable through the CRL website.  Meanwhile, CRL provides an example of a Print Archive Registry  with information about print-archiving initiatives. The database describes over twenty-five projects across North America, and includes archived holdings for several of them.

CRL has also engaged Ithaka S+R to advise on the further development of its “knowledge base” and related tools for library collection decision-making.  The knowledge base and tools, including PAPR, will augment existing CRL services and activities that support strategic development and management of collections at the local and regional level.  This broader set of resources is provided to the CRL community and other participants in the Global Resources Forum (GRF).  Development of the Global Resources Forum was supported by CRL members and by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.