[Genealib] Preservation of audio tapes

[UW-W Archives]

We opened a time capsule from 1952 last week and found an audio tape in the container.   It was on a metal reel and, as there had apparently been water seepage into the box, the reel was quite rusty.  Does anyone know if a 55-year old tape can be played after being exposed to water and rust?  Who could we contact?  I merely want to get the information off the tape, if possible, not preserve the tape permanently.
 
Thank you,
 
Karen Weston
University Archivist
 
UW-Whitewater Archives / Area Research Center 
800 West Main Street  P.O. Box 900 Whitewater, WI 53190-0900 
(262) 472-5520   http://library.uww.edu/COLLECTN/archicol.htm 
Normal Semester Hours:  Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM 
Fall Semester:  September 4-December 21, 2007
Exceptions: 
Closing at 4:30: Nov. 21, 23, Dec. 20, 21 
Closed:  Thurs. Nov. 22 and Dec. 22, 2007 through Jan. 1, 2008