housing and storing av materials: a basic introduction jane hedberg senior preservation program...
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Housing and Storing AV Materials:A Basic Introduction
Jane HedbergSenior Preservation Program Officer
Elizabeth WaltersPreservation Program Officer for Audiovisual Materials
Liz CoffeyFilm Conservator in the College Library
Weissman Preservation Center
December 1, 2010
Purpose of Workshop: Overview
Brief introduction to the formats most commonly found in libraries
Brief recommendations for proper handling, housing and storing of those formats
Brief descriptions of the most at-risk items
Durability of Audiovisual Materials
In spite of some advertisers’ claims, AV carriers are not permanent or durable
AV materials were not designed for long-term use
“Benign Neglect” is not an acceptable preservation option for most AV materials
AV carriers and equipment are complex
The more complex the system, the more likely something will fail
AV systems can suffer from: Carrier failure Carrier and equipment
obsolescence Carrier and equipment
incompatibility
General Threats of Damage/Deterioration
Chemical, mechanical or biological Decay of component materials Improper playback Careless handling Water Mold Vermin
Deterioration may not be visually obvious
Handling: General Guidelines
Minimize handling as much as possible If you do have to handle it, use extreme care Avoid touching recording surfaces
Always have clean hands, in some cases wear gloves
Avoid wearing clothing with hard fasteners, decorations, etc.
Remove any jewelry, ID badges, etc. that could snag on media
Treat all carriers as if they are heavy, fragile, and brittle
Handling: General Guidelines, cont.
Avoid drops or sudden shocks Work surfaces should be clean, uncluttered,
sturdy, and large enough for the materials Minimize exposure to dust, heat, moisture,
and light Never try to play back legacy AV carriers Never write on containers while carriers are
inside Do not leave carriers outside their
containers any longer than necessary Train staff in proper handling techniques
Storage: General Guidelines
Provide proper containers Store carriers in proper orientation Separate different types of carriers, if
possible Keep the environment as clean, cool,
dry, and dark as possible IPI Media Storage: Quick Reference
(for magnetic media, film, CDs and DVDs) http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/shtml_sub/msqr.pdf
Containers: General Guidelines
Sturdy construction Made of inert materials
Should not react with carrier materials Prevent movement of carrier inside
container Keep carrier in proper storage orientation Open and close so as not to damage the
carrier Provide protection against water or insect
damage
Assistance
The WPC staff will help you, or will put you in contact with someone who can.
There are many resources available on campus, and in the wider audiovisual preservation community.
Please Contact Us
Weissman Preservation Center617-495-8596
http://preserve.harvard.edu
Jane Hedberg [email protected] Walters [email protected] Coffey [email protected]