[Genealib] Digitization vs. Keeping old records

[Danielle Plumer]

Pam,
 
Check with the state of Florida to see what their rules are. In Texas, local governments are allowed to dispose of historic records if there is an acceptable alternative, including primarily microfilm, but many groups are moving to digitization. There are fairly strict requirements for quality and accessibility, but the tests are done on samples, not on every frame of every record. However, as genealogists know, the Census microfilm is not always usable, and for later years the original paper copies were destroyed after microfilming. Big mistake!
 
Depending on the nature of the records, there may be good reasons for considering the paper documents themselves to be of permanent archival value, so a surrogate wouldn't be appropriate. I sincerely doubt that all of the records qualify for permanent retention, but some of them may. You really need to have an archival appraisal done for the collection.


Danielle Cunniff Plumer, Coordinator
Texas Heritage Digitization Initiative
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
512.463.5852 (phone) / 512.936.2306 (fax)
dplumer at tsl.state.tx.us 

-----Original Message-----
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu [mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu]On Behalf Of Pam Cooper
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 11:59 AM
To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
Subject: [Genealib] Digitization vs. Keeping old records



Since digitization has been brought up, it reminded me of what I am potentially facing in the coming weeks.

 

It may be a possible stand-off with my county officials about their old records. We are relatively a young county and the County Commissioners have not faced the issue of storing or preserving their old records. They will soon move into a new building in June. I have been told they are digitizing and will be throwing away the old records. They do not want any of them in the new building. Yikes!

 

I am trying to stop this and find a way to put the records in our library. I am hoping to receive some good arguments against trashing the records from those of you who are experienced in the archive field. Or, am I out of date???

 

Your help would be most appreciated.

 

Pam

 

Pamela J. Cooper, Supervisor 

Archive Center & Genealogy Department

Indian River County Main Library

1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

 

772-770-5060 x108 - Fax 772-770-5066

Email: pcooper at irclibrary.org 

 

Need a guide to our collection? 

See our pathfinders at:  http://www.rootsweb.com/~flindian/ircl/

 

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