New site: Cellulose Acetate Microfilm Forum (CAMF)

<URL:http://www.bl.uk/about/collectioncare/acetate/camfintro.html>

Since 2002, the British Library and the Library of Congress have
been taking a lead on addressing the difficulties associated with
cellulose acetate microfilm collections. Together with other leading
institutions, four International Round-Tables on preservation
microfilm have been convened, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge
and experience and to try to agree a united approach to a common
problem.

The first International Round-Table was convened at the British
Library in London in December 2002, at which were present
representatives of major research libraries and leading microfilm
producers. Conducted under Chatham House Rules, its members were
able to discuss openly the situations in their own institutions and
meeting produced a set of "St Pancras Principles" for agreeing a way
forward.

A second International Round-Table was convened in Washington at the
Library of Congress in March 2004. Members updated each other on
progress they had made in managing their acetate collections and/or
plans they were putting in place in response to the problems
identified. One of the actions of this meeting was that the British
Library would host an international conference the following Spring,
in order to widen the debate and to encourage discussion and
collaboration. The conference (CAMF) took place in May 2005,
preceded by the third International Round-Table.

The British Library has dedicated several pages on its Collection
Care web site to provide access to the papers and reports associated
with the Round-Tables and to the presentations and proceedings of
the conference. The proceedings of the fourth International
Round-Table, which was convened at Princeton University, New Jersey
on May 5 2006, will be incorporated soon.

The site will be maintained and updated by the British Library.

National Preservation Office
British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
+44 20 7412 7798
Fax: +44 20 7412 7796


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:57
                   Distributed: Sunday, May 28, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-57-007
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