Date:         Wed, 23 Jul 2003 08:54:50 +0000
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         Don Cox <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Preservation Philosophy and Management
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussi <[log in to unmask]>
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On 22/07/03, Walter Cybulski wrote:
> Is microfilm supposed to replace the original or serve as an access
> medium?

This is the same question as is raised by a digital transfer of audio or
film material.

I think it can both act as an access medium and as an emergency
reserve if the originals do get lost.  The microfilm or digital version
can also be duplicated relatively easily so a copy can be provided
for another library or institute,

If there is a copy of your colour microfilm, digital audio, etc stored
in New Zealand, then at least there is something left if the library
gets bombed, looted, or attacked by accountants. Not as good as the
original, but better than nothing.

The technical problem is that digital transfers, although easy to
copy, are much more fragile than microfilm because of the complexity of
the formats.

Regards
--
Don Cox
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