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Re: Microfilm Longevity - A cry of assistance to find documentary proof. HELP PLEASE!



Just a note to add to what Ginny Jones said.  An LE of 500 years is not about just any old film and storage conditions just like storing copier paper in an acid free folders is just part of the equation.  In addition to the parameters Ginny mentions are the chemistry used in processing the film and the storage conditions (see ANSI standards).  And you cannot take a silver halide camera master and make prints from it and expect it to last 500 years.  It goes into deep storage (500 years); use a second master for diazo copies (less than 500).  Etc. Etc.

NISO has a standard for paper records, which can have an LE of 500 as well.  Creating the paper-based record on acid-free and alkaline-buffered paper and *then* putting it into acid free folders and *then* into storage with standards-based climate control will give you the LE 500.

The important point is that we need to ask questions and develop the technical knowledge to come back at folks who toss around convenient statistics without providing--or maybe even knowing--the full story.  A vendor rep. knows only what was taught in a sales class on a particular technology; that information may be wrong or, even if correct, not comprehensive enough.  Telling a customer that the per-byte cost of optical disk storage is cheaper than microfilm is very misleading as it leaves out all of the rest of the costs.  

Mike Pemberton


At 07:47 AM 6/12/2002 -0400, Jones, Virginia wrote:
Laurie:
The time periods come from ISO standards.  ISO 18901-2002 "Processed silver-gelatin type black-and-white film - Specification for Stability" is the main one which also references other ISO standards that set other conditions that will affect the longevity of the microfilm - such as base material, residual chemical removal, curl of the backing material, enclosures used to store the film, etc..  In a nut-shell - polyester-based, silver gelatin emulsion microfilm, correctly processed and stored, has a life expectancy of AT LEAST 500 years.  The time periods are based on independent laboratory testing using artificial aging techniques as well as experience with, testing of and observation of microfilm over its more than 100 year existence and use.  ISO standards can be purchased directly from Geneva through the ISO web site at www.iso.ch or through a national source in Australia.
 
Ginny Jones
(Virginia A. Jones, CRM, MIT/LIT)
Records Manager
Newport News Dept. of Public Utilities
Newport News, VA
vjones@nngov.com
-----Original Message-----
From: LVarendorff [mailto:LVarendorff@BIGPOND.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 12:48 AM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: Microfilm Longevity - A cry of assistance to find documentary proof. HELP PLEASE!

Dear colleagues,

I am trying to locate a verifiable source e.g. a Standard or a Test carried out by an Independent Testing Authority in respect to the length of time microfilm may last, and under what conditions.
In my 22 years as a Microfilm Bureau operator I quoted 100 years as the longevity of archaically processed and stored microfilm. I was brought back to my senses when I located a report from the USA Government Printer which stated, if I recall correctly, that plain old Xerographic Copy Paper would last 200 years if stored in archival conditions. Here I was advocating clients to transfer their data to microfilm for long term preservation when paper lasted twice as long. Where did I get the 100 years figure? If I recall correctly, it was from the reliable source of Kodak Literature. Did I check on them to find a verifiable source? No, I did not. Kodak now claim 500 years. Again where is this figure derived from? Maybe someone can help.
In a recent article I note that the following is quoted:  
"Microfilm, on the other hand, is a medium proven capable of lasting in excess of one thousand years, given reasonable care."
I ask here, proven by whom? And, reasonable care, what constitutes reasonable care?

I have attempted to locate a reliable source which can confirm this statement or even the more common statement that microfilm lasts 500 or more years.
I have yet to find a source. Can anyone on this list assist.

Yours Sincerely, Laurie Varendorff

Mr Daniel Lawrance [Laurie] Varendorff, ARMA

A Records Management Professional, and proud of the fact.

Consultant/Trainer/Tutor/Presenter: Records and information Management

Imaging and Micrographic Specialist: 26 years experience

The Varendorff Consultancy

ABN: 77 836 801 165

27 Ronneby Rd, Lesmurdie, Western Australia 6076 - AUSTRALIA

PHONE: +61 8 9291 6925 - MOBILE: +61 0417 094 147

EMAIL: Laurie.Varendorff@Bigpond.com

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