In 2007, the first SOIMA international course took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was aimed at mid-career professionals responsible for managing audiovisual collections in heritage institutions, but who lacked specialist knowledge. After the course, participants initiated several projects on audiovisual preservation in their respective institutions.

The 2009 course aims to establish a community of practitioners responsible for safeguarding audiovisual materials in heritage institutions. It will provide an overview of issues related to the preservation and access of audiovisual materials and discuss the meaning, selection and use of audiovisual collections in various contexts. A special focus will be on extending the useful life of audiovisual materials through preventive preservation. To inform decision making, the course will seek to promote better understanding of the possibilities offered by new technologies within the framework of management of cultural heritage collections.

updated on: 23 July, 2008