We're currently making digital reference copies of portions of our radio broadcast archives. As the original 10.5 inch reels are being transferred, I'd like to also rehouse them. Currently they are stored in highly acidic paper boxes on plastic reels. I'm looking for a cost-effective solution, and don't feel that I can really afford an additional $25.00 per tape for the Quantegy metal precision reels in the special poly boxes. I know ARSC advocates the use of metal precision reels, but is there really that much of an advantage over regular NAB reels at $13 each? Also, my engineer is trying to convince me that all European archives store their tapes as pancakes. Is this true? I can't imagine that you could really keep a tight pack this way.
I'd appreciate comments and suggestions from others that have re-housed open reel tapes.
Also, has anyone ever purchased the acid-free tape boxes now sold in various archival catalogs (Univ. Products, etc.)? And, if so, have you been satisfied with them?
Brenda Nelson-Strauss
Director, Rosenthal Archives
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 So. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 294-3057
(312) 294-3056 (Fax)
nelsonstraussb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx