File Formats and File Sizes

SCOLR allows the upload of any discrete file formats including audio, video, text and image files. Additionally, media can be streamed from third-party services like YouTube or Vimeo. PDF-A format is preferred for text documents. Other text formats will be converted to PDF-A prior to uploading to the public site. Files should not be larger than 2 GB. If a submission is larger than this, the depositor should consult with library staff before submission.

Preservation of File Formats

As per section XI of the SCOLR Guidelines, the Selkirk College Library will use standard data management practices to protect the items stored in SCOLR. The database will be backed up regularly and will be kept secure against unauthorized deletion or modification.
The Selkirk College Library will take all possible steps to assure continuing access to items deposited in SCOLR. Every item deposited will remain retrievable from the repository. However, computer files depend on the availability of the appropriate software to render the functions and appearance intended by the file’s creator; over time older software applications may no longer function on new computer platforms, leaving the files created with those applications inoperable. The level of access that the Library can assure to items stored in SCOLR may therefore range from preservation of the full functionality an appearance of the original file to preservation of the mere bit stream with no assurance that the file’s original functionality or appearance can be recreated.
In general, files created with open or non-proprietary software offer the greatest likelihood that their functionality and appearance can continue to be rendered as computer environments change. Faculty and other creators of digital content are urged to carefully consider the implications of choosing one or another file format or software application, and to balance the importance of the functions provided by a software application against the importance of being able to preserve those functions over a period of years or decades. The Library identifies three level of support for the various digital file types in SCOLR.

  • Preferred: This is the preferred file type used by SCOLR.
  • Supported: We support this file type. There is a high likelihood that its content, appearance, and functions will be preserved over time.
  • Known: We recognize this format but cannot guarantee its support over time.

Text Formats

File TypeExtensionSupport Level
Adobe PDF/A Portable Document Format.pdfPreferred
Open Document Text.odt, .ottKnown
Open Office Writer.swxKnown
Rich Text Format.rtfSupported
Plain Text.txtSupported
eXtensible Mark-up language.xmlSupported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spreadsheet Formats

File TypeExtensionSupport Level
Comma Separated Values.csvSupported
Microsoft Excel.xls, .xlsxSupported
Open Document Spreadsheet.ods, .otsKnown
Oppen Office Calc.sxcKnown

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation Formats

File TypeExtensionSupport Level
Microsoft PowerPoint.ppt, .pptxSupported
Open Document Presentation.odp, .otpKnown
Open Office Impress.sxiKnown

 

 

 

 

Graphic Formats

File TypeExtensionSupport Level
JPEG File Interchange Format.jpeg, .jpgSupported
JPEG 2000.jp2Supported
Tagged image file format.tif, .tiffPreferred
Open Office Draw.sxdKnown
Open Document Graphics.odg, .otgKnown
Portable Network Graphics.pngSupported
Graphics Interchange Format.gifSupported
Windows Bitmap.bmpSupported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio Formats

File TypeExtensionSupport Level
Waveform Audio Format.wav, .waveSupported
MGEG 1/2 Audio Layer 3.mp3Supported
MPEG-4.mp4Supported
MIDI Audio.midSupported

 

 

 

 

 

Video Formats

File TypeExtensionSupport Level
QuickTime.mov, .qtSupported
MPEG-4.mp4Supported
Ogg Vorbis Codec Compressed Multimedia File.oggKnown
iTunes video.m4vKnown
Audio Video Interleaved.aviSupported
Matroska.mkvKnown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a file type is not listed here, please contact SCOLR Administration.