Damage to electronic media by magnetic fields

Sonya Koros <smkst13 [at] lis__pitt__edu> writes

>one of my duties has been
>to photocopy the cases of incoming CDs for record-keeping purposes.
>I have been wondering whether copying the cases with the CDs still
>inside could possibly damage the CDs.  My thinking is based on the
>possibility that the magnetic field generated by the copier may
>someone cause the electronic data on the CD to "shift".

In addition to a direct response to the inquiry about the effect of
a photocopier on a CD, I would like to make a general one for
readers of this list.  A CD is digital information contained in tiny
pits; it is not magnetically recorded and the signal would not be
affected by such a magnetic field.  However, the copier generates
much light and heat, and may also transfer static charges to the
jewel box.  It should be a general practice to never leave a sound
recording of any kind in its container when copying the liner notes
or covers.

Susan T. Stinson, Curator
Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive
Syracuse University Library
222 Waverly Ave, Syracuse NY 13244-2010
315-443-3477

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:37
                Distributed: Thursday, October 26, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-9-37-010
                                  ***