Repositories, Trust, and the CoreTrustSeal

This column examines the issue of trust in digital repositories, especially ones with a digital preservation component. The concept of trust is important for repositories that have a mission to provide designated communities with long-term access to data that is deposited in there repository. Many repository administrators and other digital preservationists have looked at trusted digital repository certifications such as the CoreTrustSeal as one way to help build trust but it is not clear how much members of the designated community are influenced by certifications. However, even if the designated community is not directly influenced by certifications, repositories who meet the requirements and go through the process of being certified with the CoreTrustSeal or other certifications may have a better foundation to grow trust upon.