This thesis explores the documentation practices of digital provenance and paradata within three national libraries: the National Library of Scotland (NLS), the National Library of Spain (BNE), and the National Library of Sweden (KB). By employing a multiple-case study approach, this research examines the types of documentation generated during digitisation projects, the challenges faced by creators, and the implications for the authenticity, reliability, and usability of digital reproductions. The study utilises a qualitative methodology, incorporating data from institutional documents, digital surrogates, and semi-structured interviews with key personnel. The analysis is framed within Bonnie Mak’s adaptation of Michel Foucault’s archaeological framework, allowing for a critical examination of the socio-technical contexts and decision-making processes that shape digital collections. Findings reveal variations in documentation practices and highlight the need for more standardised frameworks to enhance transparency and trust in digital archives. This research intends to contribute to the broader discourse on digital librarianship and archival science, offering insights that could inform future documentation practices and policy development in digitisation initiatives.