Re: [AV Media Matters] Audio query

[smolians@erols.com]

This depends on the particles.  If they are the usual rust, they should be
relatively stable.  It's the fancier formulas that may cause long-term
problems, as they may not be rust-proof, depending on how good the
encapsulation was when they were manufactured and how stable that
had proved
to be.

If they have been well stored in an appropriate environment and
almost never
used, they should be OK.  Exercising is the last thing I would
do- they seem
to suffer more from motion sicknesses than the usual casual environment.

At some point they should be transferred to a newer medium, but they stand
well back in the triage line.  Unless, of course, they have been
exposed to
water, exhaust fumes, etc.

Steve Smolian

----- Original Message -----
From: <judyjones@csus.edu>
To: <AV-Media-Matters@topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 4:39 PM
Subject: RE: [AV Media Matters] Audio query

>I, too, would be interested in the response.  We have about 2500
>audiocassettes most of them over 10 years old.  They are used
>modestly.  We
>don't do anything special to them such as exercising them or
checking them
>routinely.  I'll bet they are as vulnerable as 3/4" videos.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: C Linstead [mailto:Cheryl.Linstead@gems7.gov.bc.ca]
>Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 11:47 AM
>To: AV-Media-Matters@topica.com
>Subject: [AV Media Matters] Audio query
>
>
>
>One of our branches is proposing to change its retention period of audio
>tapes from 5 years to 20. These tapes are not intended for archival
>disposition.
>
>I would be interested in hearing of best practices list members either
>employ or have identified for 20 year reliability.
>For example, recommendations for transfer interval times,
brand/format of
>recording stock, etc. I am not confident that a cool and dry storage
>environment will be guaranteed.
>
>Any and all input, on or off list, will be much appreciated!
>
>Cheryl.
>
>Cheryl Linstead
>Audio-Visual Records Curator, BC Archives
>Information, Science and Technology Agency
>Phone: (250) 387-2959  /  Fax: (250) 387-2072
>Cheryl.Linstead@gems7.gov.bc.ca
>http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/index.htm