Preservation of Non-Print Materials

1. Introduction to Preservation of Non-Print Materials

Non-print materials are information resources that communicate or store information through visual, audio, audiovisual, photographic, micrographic or electronic recording media rather than conventional printed text. These materials include photographs, photographic negatives, slides, microfilms, microfiche, gramophone records, magnetic tapes, motion picture films, videotapes and optical discs.
Non-print materials form an important part of educational, research, historical and cultural collections. They preserve information that may not be adequately represented through printed documents. For example, photographs provide visual evidence of historical events, sound recordings preserve speeches and oral histories, and motion picture films document events through moving images.
Unlike conventional printed materials, many non-print resources consist of complex combinations of plastic films, photographic emulsions, magnetic coatings, chemical dyes and other materials. Their use may also depend upon specialised equipment such as projectors, microfilm readers, tape recorders and optical disc drives.
Over time, these materials may deteriorate due to chemical instability, unsuitable environmental conditions, physical damage and technological obsolescence. Their preservation therefore requires appropriate storage, careful handling, preventive maintenance, condition assessment and, where necessary, professional conservation or transfer of recorded information.
Meaning of Preservation of Non-Print Materials: Preservation of non-print materials refers to the systematic protection, care, storage and management of non-print information resources to minimise deterioration, prevent information loss and maintain their accessibility and usability over time.
Preservation and Conservation: Preservation includes all planned activities intended to protect materials and extend their usable life. Conservation involves specialised examination, stabilisation and treatment of damaged or deteriorating materials. For example, placing a photographic negative in a suitable archival enclosure is a preservation activity, while professionally treating a damaged photographic emulsion is a conservation activity.
The preservation of non-print materials involves two related responsibilities: protecting the physical information carrier and maintaining access to the information recorded on it.

2. Types of Non-Print Materials

Non-print materials can be classified according to their physical characteristics and the methods used to record and retrieve information. Photographic Materials: These include positive photographic prints, negatives, transparencies and slides. They may contain historical photographs, scientific observations, visual records and other documentary images.
Microforms: These are reduced-size photographic reproductions of documents that require magnification for comfortable reading. Microfilm usually consists of a roll of film, while microfiche consists of a flat sheet containing multiple miniature images.
Audio Materials: These preserve sound using mechanical grooves, magnetic signals or other recording technologies. Examples include musical recordings, lectures, interviews and oral histories.
Motion Picture and Video Materials: These preserve moving visual information. Motion picture films consist of sequences of photographic images, while traditional analogue videotapes record electronic video signals on magnetic media.
Optical Media: These store digitally encoded information that can be read using optical technology. Common examples include Compact Discs (CDs), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) and Blu-ray Discs.
Different non-print materials have different compositions and vulnerabilities. Their preservation requirements must therefore be determined according to the characteristics of the particular medium.

3. Need and Importance of Preservation of Non-Print Materials

The preservation of non-print materials is essential because many of these resources are physically fragile, chemically unstable or dependent upon technologies that may become obsolete.

• Protection Against Deterioration: Photographic materials may fade, films may shrink or become brittle, magnetic tapes may deteriorate, and optical discs may develop physical or chemical damage. Preservation measures help reduce the rate of deterioration and extend their usable life.
• Prevention of Information Loss: Some non-print materials contain unique recordings for which no alternative copies exist. Damage to an original recording may therefore result in the permanent loss of valuable information.
• Safeguarding Cultural and Historical Heritage: Photographs, documentary films, sound recordings and oral histories preserve historical events, cultural practices, traditions and individual experiences. Their protection contributes to the continuity of cultural and documentary heritage.
• Maintaining Accessibility: Many non-print resources depend upon particular playback devices. Preservation includes ensuring that the recorded information can continue to be retrieved when equipment becomes outdated or unavailable.
• Support for Education and Research: Non-print materials provide primary evidence and supplementary information for academic research. Their preservation enables students and researchers to consult visual, audio and audiovisual records over time.
• Reduction of Replacement and Restoration Costs: Preventive measures can reduce the need for expensive repairs, professional restoration or repeated reproduction of deteriorating materials.

Thus, preservation protects not only the physical objects but also the educational, informational, evidential and cultural value represented by their contents.

4. Major Causes of Deterioration of Non-Print Materials

The deterioration of non-print materials results from environmental, physical, chemical, biological and technological factors. Understanding these causes is essential for adopting effective preservation measures.

• Temperature: High temperatures accelerate many chemical reactions responsible for deterioration. Photographic films, colour dyes and magnetic tapes may become unstable, shrink or lose recording properties. Frequent temperature fluctuations may also create physical stress within materials.
• Relative Humidity: Relative Humidity (RH) refers to the amount of water vapour present in the air relative to the maximum amount it can hold at a particular temperature. High humidity encourages mould growth, chemical decomposition and corrosion. Extremely low humidity may cause some materials to become brittle. Frequent fluctuations can produce expansion, contraction and structural damage.
• Light and Ultraviolet Radiation: Exposure to light, particularly ultraviolet radiation, can cause fading and irreversible chemical changes in photographs, slides and motion picture films. The degree of damage depends upon light intensity, duration of exposure and the sensitivity of the material.
• Dust and Atmospheric Pollution: Dust particles may scratch photographic emulsions, recording surfaces and film materials. Atmospheric pollutants may react chemically with silver images, magnetic coatings or other sensitive components.
• Improper Handling: Touching sensitive surfaces, bending films, dropping discs, incorrect tape winding and using defective playback equipment may cause scratches, fingerprints, cracks, deformation or information loss.
• Chemical Instability: Some materials deteriorate because of their chemical composition. Cellulose acetate film may undergo chemical decomposition, while certain magnetic tapes may experience deterioration of the binder that holds magnetic particles to the recording surface.
• Biological Factors: Mould and other biological agents can damage photographs, films, magnetic tapes and their protective enclosures, particularly under damp storage conditions.
• Technological Obsolescence: Information may become inaccessible because compatible reading or playback equipment is no longer available. For example, a physically intact videotape may be unusable without a compatible functioning video player.

These factors often operate together. High temperature combined with excessive humidity can accelerate chemical deterioration and encourage mould growth. Effective preservation therefore requires a stable and carefully managed environment.