Preservation

PRESERconVersATION

Why do we Microfilm? or 'When Harry Met Deirdre' Part 1

Harry the heavily used handbook sat on his shelf in the Library's book stacks.

"Groan!" Harry thought. "If anyone else requests me today I'll just fall to pieces!"

Harry had heard of a way to solve his overuse problem. Other handbooks had told him about the Library's Preservation microfilming program that was established in 1985 to reproduce deteriorated and heavily used parts of the collections. "Gee I'd love to be microfilmed!" he thought. "I know... I'll lose a few pages and then someone will refer me to the Preservation Microfilming Officer".

It didn't take long for Harry to arrive on Deirdre the Microfilming Officer's desk. "You're a fat little fellow aren't you? If you were only a few pages we may have been able to consider alternatives such as photocopying, but you'd really be better off in microform," she said. "However, before you can be microfilmed you'll need to answer some important questions!" Harry shuddered at the thought.

"Are you in copyright?!" Deirdre demanded. "If you are, we have to obtain permission from your copyright owner to reproduce you. Preservation microfilming projects usually involve compliance with several areas of law, including copyright and contract law and accounting regulations it is therefore very important that this is addressed before you can be filmed". Relieved, Harry said he was an old handbook, out of copyright.

"Are you in copyright?!" Deirdre demanded

"Are you complete?! It looks like you have some pages missing," Deirdre said. Harry remembered the pages he had lost. "I guess we can still film you if we can borrow holdings from other institutions to fill your gaps and ensure that your intellectual content is as complete as possible".

"What about all your friends? You are only one of a series of heavily used handbooks". Harry said the others were just as tatty and needed help as well. "We had better make sure we have funding," Deirdre said. "Microfilming projects cost a lot you know. If we don't have the money, you and your friends may have to wait your turn. But seeing you're such a friendly, high use handbook we'll film you now".

"Would you like to be filmed on microfiche or microfilm?" Deirdre asked. Harry had never thought of this before.

"Well," said Harry, "I may be fat but I'm only small".

"As a general rule you'd probably be better on microfiche, but because you're part of a series we'll use microfilm". The thought of becoming a reel of microfilm thrilled Harry.

"You're a bit too tatty to be sent straight to the microfilm bureau Harry," commented Deirdre. "We'll need to carry out some minor repairs on you to hold you together and flatten out your creases to make you camera ready".

"Will it hurt?" asked Harry.

"Not a bit," Deirdre said. "My trusted assistant, Bronwyn, will fix you up and prepare your bibliographic information sheets which will be filmed with you".

"I can't believe it!" thought Harry the heavily used handbook. "I'm actually going to be microfilmed!"

"I'm actually going to be microfilmed!"

Top

About This Site | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Site Map | Site Search | Content A-Z | Contact Us