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Microfilm services

Duplication

Microfilming: Duplication and other services

Microfilm duplication is often a critical piece of any preservation program, especially for those institutions with collections of cellulose acetate base microfilm (now known to be highly susceptible to deterioration).

Our film duplication services, based on recommended preservation guidelines, include the creation of preservation duplicates on silver gelatin polyester base film from acetate base masters or print masters. Service copies are also produced on polyester base film.

  • Acetate films
    Cellulose acetate base microfilm, used for library applications from the 1920s to the 1970s, is highly susceptible to chemical deterioration, commonly known as "vinegar syndrome," especially when stored improperly. To preserve your acetate microfilm, we can duplicate it onto polyester base film, treat the new film with polysulfide solution, and store duplicates in recommended environmental conditions to extend their life. Polyester base film has an independently certified life expectancy of 500 years when properly created and stored. We can also inspect stored microfilm on location and write analyses of deterioration and storage conditions.
  • Polysulfide treatment
    We treat silver microfilms using SilverLock®, the polysulfide solution originally developed by the Image Permanence Institute (IPI), which we now produce ourselves. While SilverLock® cannot repair film already damaged by oxidative attack, it inoculates silver films against future attack. Polysulfide treatment is available for all high contrast and continuous tone microfilm.
  • Duplication on-demand/distribution
    With permission of the owning institution, OCLC Preservation Service Centers can duplicate copies of microfilm and microfiche sent to us or stored in our print master vault. We can fulfill requests for additional copies and interlibrary loan from stored and received print masters, and send the duplicated film either to the owning institution or directly to patrons. All of our microfilming, processing, inspection, duplication, packaging, and storage strictly adhere to preservation guidelines.