Lowell Deeds

Yesterday’s blog addressed some of the issues we have with archival microfilm. This film is stored offsite in a “bunker like” facility. For years, microfilm was the only backup for registries…of course, today we have computer backups as well. After our Reproduction Department creates microfilm they send it out to be developed. The film processing company sends one roll (called a silver) directly to archive storage and two additional rolls (fittingly called duplicates) back to the registry. For years these duplicate rolls have been stored in the registry’s basement in file cabinets. As you can imagine, over the years this film has become pretty disorganized. In order to rectify the situation we purchased 300 cardboard boxes designed specifically for microfilm storage. An employee has been assigned the task of reorganizing this in-house film. He will inventory it, file it in the boxes and store it in a safe dry place in the registry. This will be a time consuming project. I estimate there are probably three thousand rolls of film.