Lowell Deeds

One of the goals we want to achieve before the end of the fiscal year is to change the way we create our microfilm. As you are probably aware registries in Massachusetts are still required by law to create microfilm copies of all documents for archival purposes. The method of creation varies from registry to registry. As an example the Worcester Registry of Deeds uses a device that copies digital images directly to microfilm. Worcester is a larger registry than we are so it is a cost effective method for them. But since we record about half the number of documents as they do, it does not make sense (excuse the pun) for us to purchase a similar archive writer. For this reason we are exploring the possibility of contracting digital to microfilm conversion to an outside firm. Of course, there are many things to consider before making this decision. Price, quality and reliability are a few of the things we need to take into consideration. Fortunately, there are a number of companies that do this work. In fact one company we contacted last year actually decrease its price since last year. Who said everything is going up?