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JHOVE

Open Preservation Foundation
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Website (Opens in new window)

About

Launched: 2006
Record Updated: Mar 05, 2025
Computing library
Digital preservation tool
JHOVE (the JSTOR/Harvard Object Validation Environment, pronounced "jove") is an extensible software framework for performing format identification, validation, and characterization of digital objects.
Format identification is the process of determining the format to which a digital object conforms: "I have a digital object; what format is it?"
Format validation is the process of determining the level of compliance of a digital object to the specification for its purported format: "I have an object purportedly of format F; is it?"
Format characterization is the process of determining the format-specific significant properties of an object of a given format: "I have an object of format F; what are its salient properties?"
These actions are frequently necessary during routine operation of digital repositories and for digital preservation activities.
Research Organization Registry (Opens in new window)

Mission

Open software and standards are key to long-term digital access. The OPF provides expertise and support, empowering the digital preservation community to develop sustainable resources.

Key Achievements

In March 2025, we will have been the stewards of JHOVE for 10 years. We have made at least one full release yearly; the new 1.34 RC will be available shortly. We have also released PDF validators with the veraPDF consortium for 15 different PDF specifications, including all PDF/A and PDF/UA versions and well-tagged PDFs, and veraPDF Arlington a checker for deviations from the PDF standards.
The International Comparison of Recommended File Formats group was established to discuss file format issues. It compares the accepted and preferred file formats used in international cultural heritage and research institutions. The group brings together members interested in evolving this resource and discussing file format issues with peers. The OPF also hosts the COPTR tool registry.
In January 2025 Neil Jefferies was appointed as the new Executive Director of the OPF. Neil has extensive digital preservation experience, including OCFL and SWORD.

Technical Attributes

Maintenance Status

Actively Maintained

Open Code Repository

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Technical Documentation

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Code License

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Open API

In Progress

Open Product Roadmap

In Progress

Technical Attribute Statements

Programming Languages

  • java

Technology Readiness Level

  • Actual system proven in operational environment

Code Licenses Used

  • GNU General Public License (GPL)

Content Licensing

  • Creative commons licenses
  • Traditional copyright

Standards

Metadata

  • JSON
  • National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Recommended Practice RP-22-2015, Access License and Indicators
  • REST

Community Engagement

Code of Conduct

In Progress

Community Engagement

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Community Statements

Community Engagement Activities

  • Annual meetings
  • Blogs
  • Community calls
  • Development sprints
  • Interest, working, user, or advisory groups
  • Mailing lists and discussion forums (including Slack)
  • Social media
  • Staff roles with responsibility for community engagement
  • Webinars and training

Policies & Governance

Governance Summary

The OPF operates as an independent, not-for-profit membership organization.

Policies

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

In Progress

Privacy Policy

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Web Accessibility Statement

In Progress

Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Policy Statements

Board Structure

  • Advisory board or steering committee

Board Level

To oversee the overall strategic direction and sustainability of the Foundation. The Board are drawn from our membership and are expected to approve significant business decisions, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, monitoring financial performance, and appointing and evaluating senior management. While they primarily focusing on long-term vision and not day-to-day operations, their purview is important to our strategic direction.

Community Governance

  • Ad hoc

Additional Information

Organizational History

The OPF was established in 2010 to sustain the outcomes of an EU-funded research and development project called Planets. The project's goal was to create tools and services to ensure long-term access to digital cultural and scientific assets. The Foundation’s goal was then to build on the project’s collaborative, practical approach to advancing digital preservation. In 2014 the OPF changed its name from the Open Planets Foundation to the Open Preservation Foundation to reflect our evolution and relevance within a growing field. The OPF operates as an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation, welcoming digital preservation practitioners from around the world to our open-source community.

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Non-profit organization

Full-time Staff

1-5

Volunteers

0

Non-profit Status

Foundation

Current Affiliations

Funding

Primary Funding Source

  • Contributions

Financial Reporting Level

  • Both

Funding Needs

We are grateful for donations of any size which go towards the cost of hosting, development effort, community building and the creation of documentation, user guides, and training materials.
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