This is scary!  If microfilm is still the preferred and accepted standard for document preservation in the archives world, and microfilm reader/printer manufacturers are discontinuing the production of the machines, then how long will we archivists wait to update or change our preservation standard to some other format?  We had better do it soon.

 

But I also wondered if ALL manufacturers are ceasing their production of the machines, or whether it is only those few who cannot compete in today’s market?  Are companies, e.g. 3M or Minolta, actually making more machines because they are cornering the market?  Or are all companies really discontinuing their product lines?  The answer to these last few questions may be the driving force behind a new archival preservation standard.

 

Russell D. James, M.A.

MLIS student

Louisiana State University

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