This session will provide specific strategies for attendees to assess and address the physical condition of their respective analog A/V assets - which may include 8mm & 16mm movie film, audiotape, consumer & professional format videotape, 35mm positive slides & photographic negatives. While some institutional archives enjoy exacting climate control, many others experience environmental challenges which exacerbate mildew and accelerate the general deterioration of analog media. By way of example, mildew destroys the viability of magnetic tape and film. It can also pose a health concern to archive staff and patrons. Transcription 78 records may become covered in white palmitic acid - which is not mold - but is a natural byproduct of age. Following my visual and descriptive presentation of these and other examples, attendees will be invited to consider their own collections of A/V assets and engage in a general discussion related to the physical integrity of their materials. The presenter will suggest best practice solutions as appropriate. Beyond the physical integrity of an archive's analog media, an additional consideration is whether the media content is still accessible by patrons and institutional staff. The final portion of the pop-up session will open the floor to a discussion about the degree to which attendees are currently dealing with "inaccessible" analog media content in their respective archives. The presenter is currently engaged by the American Crafts Council to generate a comprehensive assessment of the physical condition of their analog A/V archive. The collection is held at the American Craft Council Library & Archives.
