Master microfilm negative storage

The preservation community, heretofore, seems to have relied on the good
will of the holding library to store microfilms to standard.

Specifically:

01. OCLC input standards for 007/11 are too strict.  Byte 11 is reserved
    for "Generation".  The storage of film has nothing to do with its
    generation.  The University of Florida (UF) interprets byte 11 to be
    descriptive of generation only.

NOTE: Film generation and other 007 field information is not entirely
descriptive of Preservation Microfilm.  Storage should be a factor;
HOWEVER

02. There is no MARC code for quality of storage (containers,
    enclosures, or environment).  Such data could be recorded in the 583
    field if the library considers this essential information.  We do
    not record such information in the record, though we do make such
    information avail- able to libraries requesting copies of our film.

03. Application of standards for storage appears to vary widely.  ANSI
    Ph1.43, which is now under review by its IT (Imaging Technology)
    Committee, is most often the only standard cited in relation to
    storage requirements.  A host of standards: ANSI, AIIM (Association
    for Information and Image Management), NFPA (National Fire
    Protection Association), and other standards SHOULD BE considered.
    The University of Florida's Request for Proposals (RFP) for storage
    of microform masters is available upon request (hardcopy or via
    e-mail).

Ideally, microforms should be produced in at least 3 generations: camera
master (MARC 007/11 code a), printing master/second generation (code b),
and use copy (code c).  Ideally, the camera master should be used only
for the generation of printing masters which, then, receive the greatest
wear resulting from duplication.  A preservation master microfilm is a
microfilm first generation used only for creation of a printing master,
and which has been produced to standard for reduction ration, image
quality, etc., and which is stored under archival conditions as
specified by standards.  How often such a microfilm may be used and
retain the designation "preservation master" has not been quantified.
... in part because use of such a film should be negligible.


Erich J. Kesse
Preservation Office
University of Florida Libraries
904-392-6962
Fax: 904-392-7251

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 4:52
                  Distributed: Tuesday, April 2, 1991
                        Message Id: cdl-4-52-001
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