Re: [ARSCLIST] storage media

[Brandon Burke <bburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting that this would be brought up, as I'm currently researching 
alternative methods for the storage of nitrate cylinders.  Some of you 
on this list will know a great deal about this topic that I but Library 
of Congress is looking for a plastic to replace Metal Edge-style paper 
housing.  I'd be interested in hearing the views of list members on 
this topic.

Thanks,

Brandon Burke
Digital Library Services
University of Texas at Austin


On Jun 9, 2004, at 1:17 PM, Richard L. Hess wrote:

> Hello, Donna,
>
> My preliminary investigations indicate that cardboard boxes are 
> serving us well
> and should not be changed. If they are highly acidic, they should be 
> replaced.
>
> If you have acetate tapes, I believe the cardboard allows enough 
> breathing and
> also acts as a buffer (like a molecular sieve in a film can) that 
> absorbs the
> outgassing acetic acid.
>
> I haven't fully proven this, but it is a logical hypothesis.
>
> So, unless the boxes are really yellow and brittle, I wouldn't change 
> them.
>
> You might finr some useful information on my "tips" page at
> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/tips.htm
>
> If you have any questions as you undertake your digitizing project, 
> feel free to
> ask me.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Richard
> --
>
> Richard L. Hess
> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/
>
>
> Quoting Donna Sinclair <Donnas@xxxxxxx>:
>
> > Speaking of storage media, can anyone tell me whether reel-to-reel 
> > should be
> > put in special storage cases?  Most of our tapes are currently in the 
> > boxes
> > the tape comes in.  We are planning a digitizing project and I am 
> > trying to
> > calculate cost.  Any assistance would be helpful.
> >
> > Donna Sinclair
> > Special Collections Coordinator, Oral History
> > Oregon Historical Society Research Library
> >
> >
> > > > > "Nancy's Overland Stage Lines (Nancy and Larry A. Hall, Sr.)"
> >   <NancysOverlandStageLines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 06/09/04 09:57AM >>>
> > The only dumb question is the one not asked.
> >
> > Have lurked for a while on the list.
> >
> > Recent comments about 78 storage in zip-loc bags prompts me to ask the
> > following:
> >
> > Can cd's, in their little jewel boxes, be safely stored in metal 
> > boxes?
> >
> > I've been fotunate to be exposed in my lifetime to almost all the 
> > recording
> > media.  Having accumulated a treasure of audio tapes over the last 
> > thirty
> > years, has always made me allergic to magnets and metal boxes.
> >
> > I presume CD's are plastic and the coating to be aluminum.
> >
> > Comments appreciated.
> > Thanks.
> >
> >
> >
> > Nancy and Larry Hall,
> > Members:
> > National Radio Club,
> > American Radio Relay League
> >
> > Â"You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat.   You 
> > pull his
> > tail
> > in  New  York and his head is meowing
> > in Los Angeles.
> > Do you understand this?
> >
> > Â"And radio operates exactly the same way:
> > you  send signals  here, they  receive  them
> > there.     The only difference is
> > that there is no cat.Â"   --  Albert Einstein