[ARSCLIST] Preservation policy question

[Ganesh.Irelan@xxxxxxxx]

Dear Lance,

Thanks for your comments.  I found one line rather provocative and wanted to make sure I understood you correctly.  You said, "You have already made your access copies, but now you will have to determine the value of the originals..."  As I have said a couple of times, I AM keeping all originals.  Also, I have multiple digital copies, protected by geographic separation, for the entire collection.  What you seem to be saying is that you only view digital copies as access copies.  Is that true?  I can recall that being common sentiment 5 or 10 years ago but not anymore.

Thank you,

Kevin

***********

Kevin,

The originals will deteriorate over time - all that you can do is to
slow down the rate of deterioration by storing in proper environments.
As such, I could clearly see an argument to keep one extra 1/4" to serve
as preservation back-up for the original, or to use as a sub-master for
future reformatting. 

Another way to answer the question of whether or not to keep the
originals and possibly another copy - would be to appraise the value of
the recordings to your institution. You have already made your access
copies, but now you will have to determine the value of the originals
based on the following:

*	Their operating, administrative, legal, and fiscal values
*	Their evidential and informational value (research or historical
value)
*	Their arrangement and physical condition
*	Their intrinsic value 
*	Their relationship to other records at your institution

Lance Watsky
Georgia Archives
Preservation & Media Specialist
lwatsky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx