Recording Electronic Images on Microfilm Best Practices

1
Recording Electronic Images on Microfilm - Best
Practices

• Jim Harper
• PRIA
• Charlotte, NC
• 7/00/2007

2
Why Start Here

• Many counties and service companies are using
  raster image recorders without formal guidance.
• The committee felt that the rapid adoption of
  this technology necessitated the our first best
  practices document begin here.

3
A White Paper

• Its not a standard but it cites standards.
• ANSI American National Standards Institute
• ISO International Organization for
  Standardization
• Like a standard, it is a living document that
  is subject to periodic review and revision.
• It describes the processes procedures necessary
  to maximize the life expectancy and recovery
  potential of microfilmed images produced from
  raster image recorders.

4
A Word on Standards

• Standards can be difficult to understand but they
  still need to be implemented.
• We purposely did not summarize or explain
  standards cited in this document because PRIA
  should not assume any liability for a
  paraphrasing a published standard.

5
Overview

• Basic Components
• Capture
• Recording
• Processing
• Storage
• Conclusion

6
Capture

• Records preservation begins with quality
  scanning.
• Sufficient resolution
• Equipment maintenance
• Maintaining optimal scanner performance using
  MS44-1993.

7
Recording

• Scanner Friendly Film
• Identified Targets
• Clear Sufficient contrast
• Complete Batch balancing
• Organized Sequential Doc or Book/Page
• Structured Blip coding
• Efficient Packing Density
• No splices!

8
Processing

• What is it and what does it do?
• Chemistry function maintenance
• The importance of proper washing and drying.
• Post processing film testing.

9
Quality Control

• What to look for and suggestions on how to do it.
• Inspection for evidence of deterioration

10
Storage

• Enclosures
• Film boxes
• Storage Boxes
• Storage Environment
• Indicators of storage problems
• Redox/Measles
• Vinegar Syndrome

11
Conclusion

• The simplicity and human readability of microfilm
  substantially differentiates it from its
  digitized and digital counterparts. When the
  steps outlined in this document are followed,
  microfilm requires relatively little attention to
  achieve its preservation potential. Using
  todays document scanning and microfilm
  technology, properly produced, processed, and
  stored microfilm can be a very reliable and cost
  effective asset in a multi-layered records
  preservation program.

12
Sooo Wadaya Think?

• Jim Harper
• Co-Chair
• ABDR Committee