FAIR Access Options to Archival Data in Germany?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the research was to examine the extent to which FAIR access options for data held by public archives currently exist in Germany. To this end, the most important archive portal in Germany, the Archivportal-D was analyzed. In addition, projects were identified that point towards the further FAIRification of archived data.

Method/Approach: This article examines the online access options provided to public archives across all sectors via the Archivportal D and evaluates them against the FAIR criteria. Additionally, drawing on current literature in archival science, the article identifies pioneering projects and best practices that are currently advancing the FAIRification of archived data.

Results: Overall, the data from public German archives made available via Archivportal D already largely meet the FAIR criteria for research data. The long-term reusability of records and data - extending far beyond the ten-year retention period currently required by research organizations - has long been a core value of public archives. Furthermore, the findability of and access to archival holdings in state archives have improved significantly in recent years, and large-scale nationwide projects by state archive administrations to implement protected digital reading rooms will further advance this progress. Smaller-scale initiatives and lighthouse-projects implemented notably within the framework of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) or other collaborative efforts also make it possible to assess the effort involved in „FAIRification“ and to pilot the necessary processes. In contrast, the criteria regarding the interoperability of archived data and provided metadata are still met only to a limited extent. The degree to which this situation improves significantly in the coming years will depend - even for high-performing archive administrations - on the personnel and financial resources made available to them.

Conclusions/findings: For many years, public archives in Germany have been striving to improve access to archival holdings. Despite these efforts, however, success has so far been limited. The vast majority of public archives in Germany - specifically those of small and medium-sized municipalities - either unable or barely able to provide (online) access to archived data. This study examined the most important German archive portal, which offers both large, high-capacity archives and many smaller ones the opportunity to publish data online. Limitations regarding the FAIR criteria persist here, primarily concerning data interoperability. The development of protected digital reading rooms - a process driven by the major project „Transformation of Restitution“ (Transformation der Wiedergutmachung) - is likely to accelerate this trend among state archives and other larger archives in the coming years. If AI-based transcription and GIS tools are subsequently integrated into these systems on a broader scale, it will be possible to make FAIR data from public archives available in large volumes. Conversely, achieving FAIR access to „born-digital“ and analog-origin data on a larger scale will require further adjustments to the access components of digital archives. In the coming years, therefore, it will depend primarily on the personnel and financial resources made available to public archives to facilitate the usability of the archived data.