The thing I've noticed about paper leader is that it's most likely candidate for a bad splice point. Why? Do not know but I theorize the paper absorbs and dissipates whatever makes the glue stick to it. On the other hand, paper is proven to not mess up the tape around it over time. I think if you're relying on ANY old tape where it's a huge issue what leader medium is used, you need to come up with a plan, today, to transfer that material to digital media and/or create safety copies on newer tape. The simple fact is that tape is not forever. -- Tom Fine ----- Original Message ----- From: <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 3:56 PM Subject: [ARSCLIST] CLIR document/ Leader > > I wonder about the value of the recommendation to “replace plastic leaders > with paper leaders” (Capturing Analog Sound for Digital Preservation; > 1.1.2.3.3 Leader). > > I think that the concern about “electrostatic charges” may be overstated > (and probably has its origins from another era, perhaps when PVC was used a > leader tape base). Using modern anti-static polyester leader as a > “replacement leader” (not to mention the high coercivity of magnetic tape > in general), makes the electrostatic charges from leader tape issue, I > feel, almost negligible. Video shares many of the same preservation issues > as audio and I’m not aware of this “paper or plastic” question ever coming > up in that field; video preservation specialists use polyester leader and > have done so successfully for decades. Is there a distinction between > magnetic audio media and magnetic video media (or even data storage tape, > another magnetic medium that uses polyester leader) that I’m overlooking > that would require paper tape to be used in audio? > > Certainly too other arguments could be made for not using paper leader: it > is less durable than polyester, it will absorb moisture, and -particularly > with non-buffered paper, it becomes brittle and therefore may fail to > maintain the tension on the tape pack (when tacked down at the head or > tail) needed for long term storage. > > Feel free to set me straight. > > Best, > > Danny > > > Daniel Sbardella > The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts > 40 Lincoln Center Plaza > New York, NY 10023 > > 212.870.1609