Preservation of Historical Records (1986) / Chapter Skim
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8. Discussion of Findings
8. Discussion of Findings
Pages 79-92
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From page 79... ...
This concern is certainly appropriate, but dire predictions about the limited useful life expectancy of 19th- and 20th-century papers have all too often led to panic and a sense of helplessness, sometimes producing hasty, unthinking responses rather than the realistic, planned course of action that is needed.
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From page 80... ...
· The estimated total number of these records at some risk of loss of information value is 530 million, or over one-sixth of the entire collection. Prevention of Future Detenoration Besides environmental controls, which are the subject of a separate section, some improvements can be made in current practice that would help to prevent future deterioration of the sort now evident in NARA's collections.
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From page 81... ...
The second problem is that the life expectancy for magnetic tapes is estimated to be 10 to 20 years, and a similar lifetime is projected for optical disks. The third concerns the lack of standards in certain areas, which results in incompatibility of systems, unpredictability of product lifetime, and uncertainty .
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From page 82... ...
As discussed in the description later in this chapter of the decision procedure for preservation action recommended by the committee, one of the criteria that affects preservation strategy is the cohesiveness of the record. There, the subject is the difference in verification of copying appropriate to files that contain redundant information as opposed to files whose individual documents hold unique places in the record.
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From page 83... ...
Indeed, what is known suggests that good containers may obviate the need for the most exacting and costly macroenvironmental control; on the other hand, it is also known that the close proximity of acidic materials is undesirable. The committee feels that a substantial research effort should be conducted in this area, especially as NARA is planning to install compact shelving that will further encase the records and may significantly influence the effectiveness of any improved macroenvironmental control system.
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From page 84... ...
The committee examined alternative media onto which records might be copied: · Copying onto magnetic or optical media, which would have the advantage of compaction and potential ease of transmission and future manipulability; · Copying onto paper, since archival standards for paper and for electrophotographic copying exist; and · Copying onto microfilm, which offers the advantage of compaction and for which archival standards for both film and microphotographic processes exist. Copying Onto Magnetic or Optical Media Although they are quite useful and stable for time periods of 10 to 20 years, current flexible magnetic recording media suffer from recognized material degradation processes that make them vulnerable to large-scale information losses over long periods of time.
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From page 85... ...
l A.. Chamber for mass deacidification of books.
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From page 86... ...
Copying Onto Paper or Microfilm Standards for archival-quaTity paper and electrophotographic duplicating processes have been developed that are adequate for the National Archives to use in establishing and maintaining quality control for copying damaged documents onto paper. In addition, the Tong history of generally satisfactory use and the ability of current holders of large silver-based microfilm collections to maintain adequate quality control make this medium archivally acceptable.
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From page 87... ...
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From page 88... ...
The National Archives must clarify the key criteria of use and condition and must improve the statistical description of its collection before remedial action can be taken to improve the condition of damaged records. Cntena for Use Although frequency of use here must be defined within an archival context, if it is to be employed to justify preservation action it still must correspond to a reasonable concept of use.
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From page 89... ...
Exploration of this possibility should be included in the planning of the program. Recommendations for Preservation Action The committee recommends the following as preservation actions: · The National Archives should institute procedures immediately that will yield statistics concerning damaged records that are useful for long-term preservation planning and for deciding treatment priorities.
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From page 90... ...
Single damaged sheets should be electrophotographically copied using materials and processes that conform to archival standards, and NARA may dispose of the originals. This can be done on a continuing basis as damaged sheets are identified by users.
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From page 91... ...
1986. Cost Comparison of Selected Alternatives for Preserving Historic Pension Files.
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