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Aviary Features

Metadata to support preservation

Developed in collaboration with the University of Alberta Library, enhanced media file metadata creation and auditing features help support a larger digital preservation program.
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Media file integrity checksums
Integrity checksums are generated for all media files uploaded to Aviary and stored on Aviary-controlled Wasabi storage. An integrity checksum is a unique string of characters generated by applying a mathematical algorithm to a digital file. It serves as a digital fingerprint, allowing users to verify that the file has not been altered or corrupted over time, thereby supporting the long-term digital preservation efforts collections. Viewing Integrity Checksums Media table. MD5 and SHA256 checksums for media files hosted in Aviary can be accessed from the Media table. Columns are included in the Manage Table options and can be set to display or be hidden. In order to see a specific single checksum, click on the corresponding Copy MD5 or Copy SHA256 button. Manage Media Info. Integrity checks for a single media file can also be viewed by opening the Manage Media File modal window and clicking the Manage Media Info tab. Export Media Files CSV. Integrity checksums for one-to-many media files can be exported as part of the Export Media Files(s) to CSV process undertaken from the Media table. Resource detail page. Integrity checksums can be displayed on the resource detail page media file metadata tab, just like other metadata fields. These fields can be made visible or hidden on the Organization → Field Management → Resource Field Settings → Global Metadata Fields page. View integrity checks from the Aviary API. Authorized Org Users can export the integrity checks using the Aviary API. You can see the Aviary API documentation and demo here: https://www.aviaryplatform.com/api/v1/documentation.
Media file technical metadata
MediaInfo technical metadata is generated fall all media files uploaded to Aviary and stored on Aviary-controlled Wasabi storage. This technical metadata includes in-depth information about the format, size, encoding method, and other attributes of a media file. The metadata is extracted from the media files using the open-source MediaInfo application. Viewing media file technical metadata Manage Technical Metadata. Media file technical metadata for a single media file can also be viewed by opening the Manage Media File modal window and clicking the Media Technical Metadata tab. View technical metadata from the Aviary API. Authorized Org Users can export the media file technical metadata using the Aviary API. You can see the Aviary API documentation and demo here: https://www.aviaryplatform.com/api/v1/documentation. Technical metadata exported matches the standard MediaInfo JSON format and could be used in external preservation activities.
Audit log
An audit log tracks changes to Aviary resources, media files, transcripts, indexes, and supplemental files. An audit log is a detailed, time-stamped record of all changes made to digital assets within Aviary. It tracks user activity such as uploads, edits, deletions, and metadata updates, providing a transparent history of who did what and when. This helps ensure accountability, supports security and compliance efforts, and enables organizations to monitor the integrity and lifecycle of their digital assets over time. Viewing the audit log To view the audit log, click the Audit Log link located under the Organization dropdown menu. Exporting the audit log to CSV
Media file integrity checksums
04/15/2025
Integrity checksums are generated for all media files uploaded to Aviary and stored on Aviary-controlled Wasabi storage.
An integrity checksum is a unique string of characters generated by applying a mathematical algorithm to a digital file. It serves as a digital fingerprint, allowing users to verify that the file has not been altered or corrupted over time, thereby supporting the long-term digital preservation efforts collections.

Viewing Integrity Checksums

Media table. MD5 and SHA256 checksums for media files hosted in Aviary can be accessed from the Media table. Columns are included in the Manage Table options and can be set to display or be hidden. In order to see a specific single checksum, click on the corresponding Copy MD5 or Copy SHA256 button.
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Image of the Media table illustrating MD5 and SHA256 checksums
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Manage Media Info. Integrity checks for a single media file can also be viewed by opening the Manage Media File modal window and clicking the Manage Media Info tab.
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Image of Manage Media File modal window
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Export Media Files CSV. Integrity checksums for one-to-many media files can be exported as part of the Export Media Files(s) to CSV process undertaken from the Media table. ​
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Resource detail page. Integrity checksums can be displayed on the resource detail page media file metadata tab, just like other metadata fields. These fields can be made visible or hidden on the Organization → Field Management → Resource Field Settings → Global Metadata Fields page.
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Image of a resource detail page media file metadata tab illustrating checksums
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Snippet image of Global Metadata Fields page illustrating checksum settings
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View integrity checks from the Aviary API. Authorized Org Users can export the integrity checks using the Aviary API. You can see the Aviary API documentation and demo here:
https://www.aviaryplatform.com/api/v1/documentation
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