Collins says this is a great example that speaks to the importance of not only site preservation, but data preservation. Her team in the USF Libraries is working to ensure that the hundreds of global projects that they have worked on are curated and discoverable into the future. As part of a new initiative that has brought together some of the major players in 3D heritage (CyArk, Historic Environments of Scotland, and USF DHHC), a new platform for sharing, learning and discovery of primary 3D heritage data is being formed. The Open Heritage Alliance will help guide these efforts and through their project collaboration are hoping to make sure that these data live on into the future. To learn more about this initiative, see its launch at https://openheritage3d.org/ . Google Arts & Culture is also supporting the initiative and feature projects, such as the DHHC’s Apollo 1 Memorial at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station can be found at https://artsandculture.google.com/project/openheritage .

"3D scanning and related technologies can provide tremendous value should an unanticipated event such as the fire at Notre Dame or other cultural heritage loss”, according to John Ristevski, chairman and CEO of CyArk, a non-profit organization that digitally records, archives and shares some of the world's most significant cultural heritage sites. "We are continuing to work with partners to develop best approaches for organizing and making available content and data to the benefit of heritage preservation."

Data accessibility using platforms that convert to useable products, and implementing archival and metadata standards while ensuring discoverability aspects of 3D projects may not be the sexiest part of 3D heritage work, but it may be the most visible aspect of heritage digital survey efforts. Collins says from her experience and in seeing the recent events in Paris strong efforts in these areas are needed. “We have to move beyond the hype of 3D, and libraries are proving to be an important partner in digital heritage efforts,” adding that “by partnering with 3D data capture leaders, industry partners, and the many voices that make up the heritage stakeholder universe, 3D can be an important tool for protecting and preserving places and information that matters.”