Infrastructure Working Group

The Infrastructure Working Group is a standing body of the South Asia Open Archives, reporting to the SAOA Executive Board and working in close consultation with the SAOA Program Coordinator and other Working Groups.

Members of the Infrastructure Working Group

• R. Prakash, Roja Muthiah Research Library (Chair)
• David Faust, University of Minnesota
• Adnan Malik, University of California, Berkeley
• Jef Pierce, University of Pennsylvania
• Mary Rader, University of Texas at Austin

Purpose

The Infrastructure Working Group provides recommendations to the Executive Board on all matters associated with the supporting technological framework of SAOA. These include, but are not limited to:

• Administration, staffing, and strategic partnerships
• Ongoing support for process improvements, standards updates, and SAOA site enhancements
• Standards for digitization and metadata, SAOA’s web presence, and intellectual property rights
• Preservation archive for long-term storage
• Project-oriented work (e.g., quality control, digitization, ingest)
• Strategic planning for evolving technologies and new formats (e.g., images, data sets, archival material)

Rationale

The Infrastructure Working Group contributes to the permanent framework underlying SAOA activities. It participates in shaping the vision of SAOA as the initiative grows and develops over time.

Membership

The Infrastructure Working Group is composed of at least three members from SAOA member institutions. One member from the Executive Board serves as Chair or Co-Chair. The SAOA Program Coordinator also participates in meetings. Terms are for one year, with encouragement to renew.

Tasks, Timelines, and Deliverables

Tasks, timelines, and deliverables are generally assigned by the Executive Board, though the Working Group may also propose tasks aligned with its purpose and SAOA's mission.

Reporting

The Infrastructure Working Group reports to the Executive Board on a monthly basis or more frequently if needed. The Executive Board shares the group’s recommendations with SAOA membership.