BAVC Media’s preservation program announces new online preservation resource supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Published On: October 28, 2015 |

San Francisco, CA – Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC Media) announces the release of AV Compass, a free web-based resource created to empower individuals and organizations to take urgent first steps to preserve their audiovisual media collections. Developed with a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, AV Compass features eleven short instructional videos, five PDF guides, and a preservation inventory tool.

Many individuals and organizations hold significant audiovisual content that illuminates their own unique histories and those of their communities and times. As certain media formats become obsolete and as functioning playback equipment becomes more challenging to obtain and keep in working order, there is an even greater risk of losing unique, dynamic audiovisual content. Despite the critical need for protective actions to be taken, those who believe they lack basic preservation knowledge and resources can feel stifled and overwhelmed at the prospect of salvaging their media legacies.

AV Compass helps users conquer their fears with step-by-step instructions and easy-to-use tools, encouraging them to gain control of, preserve and leverage their audiovisual content. Developed with input from partners at the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) and KQED, AV Compass combines PDFs, short videos and a simple inventory tool in order to distill audiovisual preservation and digitization practices in a way that even the most hesitant beginner can understand and employ. In addition to emphasizing the need for preservation, AV Compass encourages its users to connect with their audiovisual materials and to consider how they might utilize their audio and video content in their personal and institutional endeavors.

AV Compass ultimately helps its users to: