Digital Cleanup! (Libraries no longer just physical)

Making sure there is enough room in your library for new material means not only being able to physically dispose or recycle hard copies of media, but also digital. Libraries today need computer systems that are up to date as well as well maintained. Just like a library a computer can get too much information that needs to be taken care of just like when a library has too much.

Even though digital storage technology is rapidly advancing, That does not necessarily mean that a libraries digital storage will have enough room. As software and operating systems are updated on a computer system, more memory is used. In the past, a personal computer system for example only needed a few gigs tops of memory. Today computers need to be able to store HD video and audio as well as being able to have enough space to update software.

In order to manage your digital space though, you need to know what type digital storage your system is using.

Here are the popular digital storage examples and what they are capable of.

1.  Hard Drives: HDD (Hard Disk Drive)  This is most likely what your own personal computer uses. Almost any file can be deleted to make room unless that file contains necessary programs to run your computer. These have moving parts, and are therefor more likely to fail than a flash drive (aka USB drive)

2. SSD: (Solid State Drive) Much more reliable version of the HDD. It has no moving parts and acts like a USB stick would only it is built into your computer. Also this type of drive works much faster so deleting and moving data is much quicker than with an HDD

3. CDs/DVDs: Re-writeable CD's do exist, however there is a limit to how often they can be re-written. The most popular CDs' used for storage however can only be "burned" once! So what you choose to store will be permanent.

4. Flash Drives: Just like a hard drive, flash drives can be re-written with ease. Generally they have a smaller capacity than an HDD or SSD (especially when compared to newer SSD's) but as they are carried around and exposed to more elements they are more prone to failure.  Unless your computer system is relying on software stored on the USB drive, anything can be deleted and added to your drive with ease.

It is always important to regular clean out your computers Hard Drive(s) just like your physical library. Redundant information and files paths can be problematic and lead to a memory shortage. It is always wise to clean out browser cookies, unneeded/outdated software as well as regularly running. Programs such as CCleaner are great for defraging and de-cluttering unneeded data from your system.