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<p class="MsoNormal">Good afternoon,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is with great pleasure that the Library of Congress announces the 10th edition of its <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs?loclr=blogsig">Recommended Formats Statement (RFS)</a>. The RFS supports a structured methodology
to assess the viability of digital formats within both a global and institutional context. These efforts are <a href="https://www.loc.gov/acq/devpol/Digital%20Collections%20Strategy%20Overview_final.pdf">part of the Library’s strategy</a> to collect and engage
fully with the breadth of digital creative works.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this 2023-2024 edition, there are notable changes to a few of the content categories, especially <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/software-videogames.html?loclr=blogsig">Software and Video Games</a> and <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/webarchives.html?loclr=blogsig">Web
Archives</a>, as well as some changes in file formats included for <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/stillimg.html?loclr=blogsig">Still Image Works</a> and <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/design3D.html?loclr=blogsig">Design
and 3D</a>. Following the lead of the <a href="https://www.digitizationguidelines.gov/">Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI)</a>, the RFS now uses the term <i>master/primary</i> rather than the term <i>master</i>, except for where <i>master</i> is
part of a format’s formal name or an industry standard use.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also new this year the format evaluation matrix has an added focus on options for access through the Library’s systems including support on the Library’s public website, <a href="https://loc.gov/?loclr=blogsig">loc.gov</a> (as well as for
Stacks, an onsite-only system for accessing restricted digital content). The outcome of this analytical structure are clearer definitions of ‘Preferred’ and ‘Acceptable’ when categorizing digital file formats in the RFS. (The updated <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/LC-RFS-FormatEvaluationMatrixTemplate_2023.xlsx">evaluation
matrix with sample data</a> is available for download. A full list of all changes is shared in the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/RFS-ChangeLog-2023.pdf">Change Log</a> available on the RFS home page.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your comments remain crucial to the ongoing improvements and success of the RFS. To simplify that feedback process to a single point of contact: <a href="mailto:rfs@loc.gov">rfs@loc.gov</a>. Comments are still welcome to specific <a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/contacts.html?loclr=blogsig">content
team leaders</a> but the <a href="mailto:rfs@loc.gov">rfs@loc.gov</a> address will route queries to the appropriate parties.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#404040">Mary Champagne </span></b><i><span style="color:#404040">she/her</span></i><b><span style="color:#404040"><br>
Electronic Resources Coordinator</span></b><span style="color:#404040"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#404040">Collection Development Office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#404040">202.707.1965<b> | </b></span><a href="mailto:mcham@loc.gov"><span style="color:blue">mcham@loc.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#404040"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#404040"><img border="0" width="119" height="44" style="width:1.2395in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D9B4DC.D3DB26E0" alt="http://staff.loc.gov/sites/librarylink/files/2018/08/Email-LOC-logo.jpg"></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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