When thinking about these issues, I'm reminded that it is overkill to have both an electronic copy and a paper copy when one or the other will do just fine. Perhaps your facility should investigate the purchase of an electonic recordkeeping management system (ERMS) that will be able to migrate your electronic data from floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs into something more permanent. Too much staff time is taken up printing all of these electronic documents to paper. Besides, some of the evidential value may be lost because not everything in electronic format can be translated well onto paper, e.g. video, streaming video, sound. It is similar to the problems with migrating from paper to microfilm for publications that print in color copy--black and white is not a good way to do it always. Russell D. James, M.A. MLIS student Louisiana State University [log in to unmask] From:Archives & Archivists <[log in to unmask]> on 03/29/2006 12:47 Sent by: Archives & Archivists <[log in to unmask]> Please respond to Dean DeBolt <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] cc: (bcc: Russell D James/rjames8/LSU) Subject: Re: Paper copy of electronic only materials? My recommendation has to indeed make paper copies of electronic documents BUT be sure it is something you plan to retain permanently for the archives. A new CD drive is imminent and a new DVD process is almost here and these will gradually change our ability to read older CDs and DVDs. Our library techs have told us that the new computers that are coming in will not be able to read 1.5 disks any longer so we’re having to go through these media and see what to preserve, print, etc. Dean Dean DeBolt University Librarian, Special Collections John C. Pace Library, University of WestFlorida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514-5750 850-474-2213 [log in to unmask] From:Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Linda Rothbart Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 12:37 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Paper copy of electronic only materials? Hi...Should I make a paper copy of materials that are now only available in electronic formats? For example, a trade association for years published handbooks, memberships directories, etc. in paper only....then paper and electronic....now only electronic. Should we make a paper copy (acid free paper) of the electronic documents and keep it? Your thoughts are appreiciated...Linda Rothbart -- Rothbart Information Solutions Reston, VA 703-689-4841 [log in to unmask]