Binding & Finishing
Conservation & Book Repair

Microfilming
Binding & Finishing staff consult with SULAIR subject specialists and support staff to coordinate the microfilming of fragile and endangered paper-based library materials. As part of the grant preparation process or for an in-house project, Binding & Finishing will:

• assess the collection and determine suitability for microfilming
• recommend alternative reformatting options, as appropriate
• obtain cost estimates and provide vendor recommendations.

Once a microfilming project has commenced, Binding & Finishing's role typically includes:

• training grant staff to prepare materials for microfilming, and quality control of the finished product upon return from the vendor, or
• performing the above functions with Binding & Finishing staff resources.

Binding & Finishing staff assure adherence to standards that ensure the production of preservation-quality microfilm, which may last up to 500 years under optimum conditions. Each reel of microfilm forms a three-generation set: preservation master, copy negative, and service positive.

When a microfilming project is complete, all microfilm is given to Technical Services staff for cataloging. The preservation master and copy negative are stored off-site in special storage facilities (temperature, particulate, and humidity-controlled) designed specifically for the safekeeping of cultural records. When microfilm is requested via interlibrary loan, copy negatives are used to generate service positive copies, which are provided to the requestor for a fee. Service copies are maintained in Stanford's Media-Microtext Center, where they can be viewed on-site during regular library hours.