Special Instructions for Preservation Microfilming Pages Containing Stratigraphic Objects

George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida

Pages containing stratigraphic objects are often found in scrapbooks, diaries, and unconventional book structures. Such pages include parts which display one or more of the following characteristics:

• Overlapping parts (e.g., a page layered with memorabilia);
• Enveloped parts (e.g., a diary containing letters in pasted-down envelops);
• Folded or hinged parts (e.g., a page with containing folded newspaper clippings); or
• Movable or pop-up parts (e.g., an "artist's book" or child's pop-up book).

The presence or manipulation of a part obscures or uncovers other parts of the same page. As opposed to other items or pages which are two dimensional, those containing stratigraphic objects are three dimensional. Information, whether textual or graphic contained in such materials can not be captured by normal filming. Variant meaning or interpretation of such materials may depend upon juxtaposition and layering. These relationships can be captured only by filming "before" and "after" images. Such materials will be filmed in the manner specified below. The term "shall" is used to indicate required action. The term "should" is used to indicate a preferred action.

• Filming position 1B shall be utilized for pages unless juxtaposition among pages warrants otherwise; then position 2B shall be utilized.
• Variable or fixed reduction between 8:1 and 14:1 may be used, though fixed reduction will be preferred in order to reduce wear on the camera and to maintain perspective.
• An image of the page as found, with all facets or openings on the page closed shall be taken first.
• If necessary, a target mapping the position and stratigraphy of items on the page and assigning unique numbers to each item shall be filmed before individual items. Numbers shall represent the order of items as they are to be filmed.
• Each item shall be filmed "reading" from the left to right, top to bottom and, within this order, overlaying before under- laying items. An in-frame numerical target (corresponding to the number assigned each item on the mapping target) should be used to identify each item.
• If stratigraphic items can be detached, detached stratigraphic items shall be filmed separate from the page on which they were found.
• If stratigraphic items cannot be detached, affixed stratigraphic items shall be filmed, if possible, with an blank sheet of ivory paper intervening between the individual item and the page on which they are found. (If juxtaposition remains important at the level of item filming, this masking shall not be used.)
• Non-stratigraphic items (found on pages containing stratigraphic items) shall be filmed, separately or with masking (i.e., ivory paper) of adjacent items, in sequence even though an unobstructed image of the item can be found in the initial page frame.
• If necessary, a target mapping the position and stratigraphy of facets or openings of an item, and assigning unique numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.) to each, shall be filmed prior to filming any portion of the item. Numbers shall represent the order of facets as they are to be filmed.
• Each facet of each item shall be in logical sequence. An in-frame numerical target (corresponding to the number assigned each facet in the mapping target) should be used to identify each facet.
• Filming position shall be chosen as appropriate for items and their facets.
• Every facet of an item shall be filmed before the filming of another item begins. Every item of a page shall be filmed before filming of another page begins.