Re: [ARSCLIST] labeling tape boxes, and "pancakes"

[Matthew Snyder <msnyder@xxxxxxxx>]

First, I neglected to mention that the majority of the tapes boxes I am
dealing with have either black spines or a glossy finish on which pencil
simply doesn't show up. I'm also dealing with an old client for whom any
numbering must be clearly visible on the shelf from a distance of a few
feet. To answer Steven Barr's question, yes, in many cases (perhaps most),
the tape boxes have important date, content and personnel listings on
them. (They can also tell you which label the recording was done for and
at what studio.) Also, the identity of the handwriting on the boxes, which
my client can distinguish, is also key to determining important
information. Why not just play the tapes to get at some of this
information? Alas, we lack the necessary gear. So, for now the problem of
reel being returned to the correct box is moot, although I may simply go
ahead and number the reels anyway, to benefit the future archivist (who
may in fact be me). The more I think about it, the more I think
fluorescent "archival" pen on the side of a spine with no other writing on
it may be the best option.

Another question which I just thought of: many of these reels are
"pancakes," with no flanges. We have a few extra flanges here and there,
but is there any preservation reason to install flanges on these reels if
they are not going to be played in the immediate future? Almost all of
these pancakes are in boxes which provide support at the hub, suspending
the reel within the box, so there's no worry about that in most cases.

Matt Snyder
Music Archivist
Wilson Processing Project
The New York Public Library