Dr. Sandra Collins, Director of the National Library of Ireland, discusses how national libraries are memory keepers for their countries, collecting and keeping safe memories that share the culture, heritage and story of their nation. The interpretation of memory may change over time, and it’s important to preserve the authentic source materials. Memory objects include photographs, manuscripts, ephemera - but contemporary memory objects are increasingly ‘born digital’ and they can be challenging to collect and keep safe as digital technologies become obsolete quickly. The National Library of Ireland collects and makes available the recorded memory of Ireland. We care for more than 10 million items, including books, newspapers, manuscripts, prints and drawings, ephemera, photographs, digital content and the National Web Archive. About the speaker Dr Sandra Collins is the Director of the National Library of Ireland. Originally a mathematician, she has worked in digital innovation and cultural heritage over 20 years in the public and private sectors. She was previously the founding Director of the Digital Repository of Ireland in the Royal Irish Academy and a Scientific Programme Manager in Science Foundation Ireland. She is a member of the Council of the Research Data Alliance, the Irish Government's Open Data Governance Board, the Irish National Open Research Forum, the Consortium of National and University Libraries, and the Irish Government’s Expert Advisory Group for Commemorations. She has served on a number of European Commission Expert Advisory Groups including Research Infrastructures and FAIR data, and is a member of the Irish Manuscripts Commission and a Trustee of the Chester Beatty Library. About the Heritage Podcast Series To Preserve and Protect: Contemporary Issues in Irish Cultural Heritage This is a series of eight 20 minute podcasts by academic researchers and leaders of major Irish heritage institutions. The series addresses questions of critical importance in Irish heritage. Opportunities and challenges of preservation and protection of Irish cultural heritage are addressed. It also provides a valuable and educational resource recorded by experts in heritage and preservation, which is publicly accessible to prompt thought and discussion. Developed and produced by the Historical Studies Committee of the Royal Irish Academy. Supported by The Heritage Council as part of the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage. Recorded by Real Smart Media. Podcasts released weekly - listen to the latest episodes here: www.ria.ie/heritagepodcast

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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