Reformatting

Reformatting is the process by which intellectual content  is reproduced.  It includes microfilming of paper materials, digitizing or scanning,  and photocopying.  Other media such as motion picture film, photographs,  and audio materials can also be reproduced, but the processes necessary to capture the information are very costly and require professional expertise. It includes

• preservation photocopy
• microfilming
• digitizing or scanning

For more information, please consult the following:

Conservation Online

Preservation Photocopy

Preservation photocopy results in an entire volume being reproduced to replace an existing but deteriorated volume. In the case where the library's volume is not sufficiently intact to produce a complete text, the library may seek permission to photocopy another library's copy.

Preservation photocopy

If our library copy is complete, we contract with an outside vendor to produce the photocopy from our copy. Usually the deteriorated library copy is discarded, but if it is artifactually valuable, it is placed in a phase box. 

Decisions to make preservation reproductions rest with the respective Subject Librarians.

For more detailed information about preservation photocopy and a list of vendors that offer photocopy services, see:

Library of Congress

Microfilm

Preservation microfilm consists of capturing text and illustrations in photographic images on microfilm. It has a stable life of 100 years. Preservation microfilm consists of three film generations: 
 

• the camera negative or preservation master microfilm which is stored in a secure, stable environment as insurance against loss of the other copies
• the duplicate negative, called a printing master or service master, from which subsequent copies are made; and
• the positive film or use copy, which is made available to readers.

A fourth component of a preservation microfilm is either an OCLC or RLIN bibliographice record, as well as a record in the library's local catalog. 

While roll microfilm is the fully accepted preservation format, microfiche is also an option if the greater reduction ratio of microfiche does not detract from the quality of the image when it is enlarged. Up to the present, microfilm for preservation purposes has been exclusively black and white without a satisfactory gray scale for illustrations. This is an obvious limitation for using the visual components of materials, especially if they are in color, and/or have extensive shading. Color microfilm of preservation quality is just now being tested with encouraging results. Black-and-white microfilm, a technology that has been developed over decades, has well-established standards that insure quality for preservation purposes. For a more thorough description, please refer to:

PRESERVATION MICROFILMING: A Guide for Librarians and Archivists, edited
Nancy E. Gwinn. Chicago: American Library Association, 1987.

RLG PRESERVATION MICROFILMING HANDBOOK, edited by Nancy K. Elkington,
Mountain View, Calif.: The Research Libraries Group, Inc., March, 1992.

Digitization

Digitization is the process of transforming analog material into binary electronic (digital) form, especially for storage and use in a computer. See:

The Washington University Digital Gateway

Moving Theory into Practice: Digital Imaging Tutorial.

  Link to Preservation page