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Preservation Services : Microfilm services : Microfilm standards and guidelines

Microfilming: Microfilm standards

Standards for quality reproduction of the original materials and for ensuring the technical quality and longevity of preservation microfilm are clearly defined and measurable, universally accepted, and rigorous. OCLC Preservation Service Centers follow the strictest possible guidelines, standards and specifications for preservation microfilm.

OCLC Preservation Service Centers adhere to the following standards, guidelines, and specifications. In situations where there may be a conflict between a standard or guideline, the ISO/ANSI standards normally prevail.

American National Recommended Practice for Inspection of Stored Silver-Gelatin Microforms For Evidence of Deterioration. ANSI/AIIM MS45-1990.

American National Recommended Practice for Microfilming Printed Newspapers on 35mm Roll Microfilm. ANSI/AIIM MS111-1994.

American National Recommended Practice for Operational Procedures/Inspection and Quality Control of Duplicate Microforms of Documents and From COM. ANSI/AIIM MS43-1998.

American National Recommended Practice for Operational Procedures/Production, Inspection and Quality Assurance of First-Generation, Silver Microforms of Documents. ANSI/AIIM MS23-1998.

American National Standard - Micrographics - Splices for Imaged Microfilm - Dimensions and Operational Constraints. ANSI/AIIM MS18-1992.

American National Standard for Information and Image Management - Recommended Practice - Microfilming Public Records on Silver Halide Film. ANSI/AIIM MS48-1999.

American National Standard for Photography (Chemicals) - Residual Thiosulfate and Other Chemicals in Films, Plates, and Papers - Determination and Measurements. ANSI/PH 4.8-1985.

Photography - Determination of residual thiosulfate and other related chemicals in processed photographic materials - Methods using iodine-amylose, methylene blue and silver sulfide. ISO 18917:1999.

American National Standard for Imaging Media -- Processed Safety Film. ANSI/PIMA IT 9.11 - 1998.

American National Standard for Imaging Media (Film) - Silver-Gelatin Type - Specifications for Stability. ANSI/NAPM IT9.1-1996.

American National Standard for Media (Film) - Photographic Processed Films, Plates, and Plates - Filing Enclosures and Storage Containers. ANSI/PIMA IT9.2-1998.

American National Standard for Imaging Media - Photographic Activity Test. ANSI/NAPM IT9.16-1993.

American National Standard - Micrographics - Splices for Imaged Microfilm - Dimensions and Operational Constraints. ANSI/AIIM MS18-1992.

American National Standard for Micrographics - Microfiche. ANSI/AIIM MS5-1992 (R1998).

American National Standard Dimensions for 100-Foot Reels for Conventionally Threaded Processed 16mm and 35mm Microfilm. ANSI/AIIM MS34-1990.

American National Standard Specification for Imaging Materials - Photographic Films - Specification for Safety Film. ANSI/NAPM IT9.6-1991(R1996).

Eye-Legible Information on Microfilm Leaders and Trailers and on Containers of Processed Microfilm on Open Reels. ANSI/NISO Z39.62-2000.

Photography - Processed photographic materials - Photographic activity test for enclosure materials. ISO 14523:1999.

Imaging materials - Processed photographic films, plates and papers - Filing enclosures and storage conditions. ISO 18902:2001(E).

Imaging materials - Photographic films - Specifications for safety film. ISO 18906:2000(E).

Imaging materials - Processed safety photographic films - Storage practices. ISO 18911:2000(E).

Fox, Lisa L., ed. Preservation Microfilming: A Guide for Librarians and Archivists. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1996.

International Standard for Photography - Determination of Residual Thiosulfate and Other Related Chemicals in Processed Photographic Materials - Methods Using Iodine-amylose, Methylene Blue and Silver Sulfide. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standards, 1999.

Research Libraries Group. RLG Preservation Microfilming Handbook. Mountain View, CA, 1992.

Research Libraries Group. RLG Archives Microfilming Manual. Mountain View, CA, 1994.

Specifications for the Microfilming of Books and Pamphlets in the Library of Congress. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 1973.

Specifications for the Microfilming of Newspapers in the Library of Congress. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 1972.