Some files in digital archives may have been created in a program that is no longer available today and cannot be accessed. These files will need to be moved into a current access application. 

New York University

Here are some of the reasons why there may be a lack of accessibility of files:
- Obsolete access applications
- Large files 
- Broken Links

Factors in Lack of Accessibility of Files

Bradyh. (2017, April 26). Digital Preservation Challenges and Solutions. Smithsonian Institution Archives. https://siarchives.si.edu/what-we-do/digital-curation/digital-preservation-challenges-and-solutions. 

Digital Archives Challenges 

Occasionally while searching through older digital archives, users will find broken links due to web pages getting taken down or reorganized. 

Reasons for Broken Links

Obsolete Access Applications

Some files may be preserved in a large and uncompressed format, making it difficult to send these files to researchers due to their size. 

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