Examines the role of microfilm in storing information to eliminate digital obsolescence. Discusses the benefits of digital-to-analog microfilm systems; changes in conventional microfilm technology; and the advantages of true hybrid imaging systems that allow retrieval of images from document microfilm, digitally created microfilm or paper scanners…

Examines digital imaging and preservation (i.e., activities associated with maintaining library, archival, or museum materials for use, either in original physical form or in some other format); discusses problems and underlying causes associated with incorporating digital imaging as a preservation methodology; and lists questions to answer before…

Discusses two reasons why institutions should create digital image files--access and preservation. Suggests a collection survey for determining what to scan. Describes the five most important technical issues of digital imaging: resolution, file formats, storage, refreshment, and copyright. Discusses digitization of manuscript collections and…

Discussion of digitizing an archive's photograph collection focuses on the FEAR method (Funding, Equipment/Expertise, Approach, and Rationale). Topics include whether digitization is an appropriate choice; formulating objectives; file format and compression; storage alternatives, including CD-ROM; and outsourcing. (LRW)

Describes a microfilming project to preserve music manuscripts of Johann Sebastian Bach at the Staatsbibliothek Berlin (Germany), highlighting project goals, problems and peculiarities encountered filming the collection, color micrography, and black-and-white filming. (PEN)

Provides an overview of microfilming by the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau (PMB), a non-profit organization established in 1968 to identify and preserve archives, manuscripts, and rare printed documents relating to the South Pacific Islands. Describes a 1997 PMB microfilming expedition to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. (PEN)

Illustrates the importance of following the advice in the American Library Association's "Preservation Microfilming" guide and maintains that in library and archive-preservation microfilming, 100% inspection should be conducted on every completed film. Discusses inspection criteria and examining what is and was being filmed and what is…

Discusses the digitization of culturally significant library materials based on evaluations at the Council on Library and Information Resources. Highlights include a definition of digital information; preservation questions, including authenticity and integrity; access to information, including the World Wide Web and copyright issues; and digital…

Describes cataloging the Slavery Pamphlets Collection microforms set at the University of Southern Mississippi, a collection of 2,348 titles concerning slavery or published by religious societies publishing anti-slavery materials. Highlights participation in the OCLC Major Microforms Project, procedures, title search, review of records and pieces,…

Discusses the digital-image storage system at the Archivo General de Indias (Seville) that was developed to conserve original documents and to provide optimal access by researchers. Highlights include image quality, storage medium, computer equipment, remote access, security problems, problems of intellectual property and document ownership,…

Describes lessons learned by the Great Collections Microfilming Project at Cornell University Library Department of Preservation and Conservation. Discusses choosing the right vendor; selecting collections that have scholarly significance when seeking funding; monitoring the budget and useful cost monitoring computer systems; communicating with…

Defines and discusses strategies for digital preservation. Describes the United Kingdom's CURL (Consortium of University Research Libraries) exemplars in digital archives project "Cedars" led by the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Leeds to address strategic, methodological, and practical issues, and to provide guidance in best…

Describes the Selected Archives at Georgia Tech and Emory (SAGE), a local grant-funded project to build virtual library capabilities at both libraries. Discusses the progress made by the libraries in six areas: selecting materials; preserving original data formats; creating digital files; indexing digital files; designing Web-based navigation and…