 |
 |
Peter (and others), On a related note, some moldy acetate reels arrived here in ziploc bags recently. (1/4" tape, on 7 and 10" plastic reels.) Typically, and only as a temporary solution, i would keep them sealed and insert a desiccant into the bag...until such time as i was able to give them a proper cleaning. But, given that you're advising against the use of desiccants with acetate tape, i'm having second thoughts. Recommendations? thanks, Brandon ____________________________________ Brandon Burke Archivist for Audio Collections Hoover Institution Archives Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-6010 vox: 650.724.9711 fax: 650.725.3445 email: [log in to unmask] On Feb 14, 2007, at 11:03 AM, [log in to unmask] wrote: > Barbara: > > Polyester-base audio tape, all video tape and optical discs can > benefit from > being stored with desiccant if the temporary storage environment is > likely > to experience high humidity. These materials include moisture only > as a > "contaminant" and do very well in extremely low humidity. > > Acetate-base audio tape and film should NOT, as a general rule, be > sealed > with a desiccant as some moisture is necessary for their "well being". > > To tell acetate-base audio from polyester, simply hold the tape up > with some > sort of light behind it. If you can see light through the side of > the pack, > the base is acetate. If you can't see light, the tape base is > polyester. > (note: be very careful doing this with pancakes- for obvious reasons.) > > Peter Brothers > SPECS BROS., LLC > 973-777-5055 > [log in to unmask] > > Tape restoration and disaster recovery since 1983 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Language Archives > Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:08 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] [LA]Re: [ARSCLIST] Using desiccant with audio > recordings > > Mike Richter wrote: >> Language Archives wrote: >>> I have to pack up my archive for storage in the University library >>> while construction happens around my space. I was asked about the >>> need to put (advisability of putting) desiccant in with the >>> recordings. I don't know for certain how long they will be in >>> boxes--we may unpack them for access on the other end, and while >>> they >>> think construction will end in August, who knows! >> >> I suspect that it will be important to know two things: what sort of >> material (cylinders, 78s, lacquers, LPs, ??); what sort of storage >> environment. > Cylinders, lacquers, LPs, uncoated aluminum, wire, open reel (10-inch > pancakes--I have been reading that thread with interest!--7-inch and > 5-inch reels), cassettes, CDs, DVDs (also some video: film, VHS and > Beta, DV). I'm sure I missed something. These will be packed in boxes > with like materials. > > As to the storage environment, I haven't seen it(!). If you have any > suggestions about questions to ask, that would be helpful. > > Barbara