Age
Paper, plastic, magnetic tape, and optical discs can weaken or deteriorate over time.
Preserving Physical Media
Physical media can survive for many years when it is stored and handled correctly. Libraries, archives, museums, preservation groups, and individual collectors all help protect books, recordings, films, and games from being lost.
Why Preservation Is Necessary
Damage
Water, heat, sunlight, dust, scratches, and improper handling can damage physical media.
Obsolete Technology
Some formats become difficult to use when their original players and replacement parts are no longer produced.
Limited Releases
Rare books, albums, movies, and games may have only a small number of surviving copies.
Libraries and Archives
PRESERVATION FILE #001
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Protecting Knowledge and History
Libraries preserve books, newspapers, magazines, photographs, recordings, maps, and other historical materials.
Some libraries maintain special collections with rare or fragile items that require controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting.
Archives also organize information so future students, researchers, and members of the public can study materials from earlier time periods.
Preservation allows information to remain available even when the original creators and publishers are no longer active.
Film and Video Preservation
PRESERVATION FILE #002
MOVING IMAGE ARCHIVE
Saving Movies and Television
Film reels, VHS tapes, DVDs, and Blu-rays can all experience damage or deterioration.
Preservation specialists inspect, clean, repair, and properly store original materials. They may also create additional copies so the content is not dependent on one fragile item.
Older movies and television programs can be lost when studios discard materials, storage conditions are poor, or no usable copies remain.
Restoring and preserving original copies helps maintain the image, sound, credits, and historical details of a production.
Common Film Risks
- Heat and humidity
- Mold and dust
- Fading or color changes
- Torn or damaged film
- Aging playback equipment
Video Game Preservation
PRESERVATION FILE #003What Must Be Preserved?
- Game cartridges and discs
- Consoles and controllers
- Manuals and maps
- Original packaging
- Updates and downloadable content
- Development documents and artwork
INTERACTIVE HISTORY
Games Require More Than a Copy
Preserving a video game can be more complicated than preserving a book or music album.
A game may require a working console, controller, operating system, server, update, or online account. If one of these parts becomes unavailable, the game may become difficult or impossible to experience.
Physical cartridges and discs can help preserve the original software, but modern games may still depend on downloads and online services.
Game preservation protects both the software and the technology needed to play it.
Lost Media
PRESERVATION FILE #004
MISSING RECORDS
When Media Can No Longer Be Found
Lost media is content that once existed but is no longer publicly available or cannot currently be located.
It may include movies, television episodes, songs, books, advertisements, websites, or video games.
Media can become lost because copies were destroyed, discarded, improperly stored, or released in very limited quantities.
Collectors sometimes rediscover missing media in attics, storage units, secondhand stores, old recordings, or forgotten personal collections.
A single surviving copy can sometimes restore a piece of cultural history.
Preservation Video
This video introduces the importance of protecting and maintaining physical media collections.
Video file: Physical Media Preservation
Basic Storage Tips
Keep Media Dry
Store items away from water, leaks, moisture, and areas with high humidity.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Sunlight can fade covers, weaken paper, and damage printed artwork.
Control Temperature
Avoid storing media in extremely hot or cold locations such as cars, garages, or attics.
Use Protective Cases
Keep discs, cartridges, tapes, and records inside clean protective cases or sleeves.
Handle Carefully
Hold discs by their edges and avoid touching the readable surface.
Organize Collections
Labels and inventories make it easier to locate items and notice when something is missing or damaged.
Storage Guide by Format
| Format | Recommended Storage | Common Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Books | Store upright on clean shelves in a dry, temperature-controlled room. | Water, mold, insects, sunlight, and torn pages. |
| Vinyl Records | Store vertically inside protective inner and outer sleeves. | Warping, scratches, dust, and heat. |
| CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays | Store inside cases and keep the readable surface clean. | Scratches, cracks, heat, and damaged cases. |
| Cassette and VHS Tapes | Keep inside cases and away from heat, moisture, and strong magnets. | Tangled tape, mold, magnetic damage, and aging players. |
| Game Cartridges | Store in protective cases and keep connection points clean. | Dust, corrosion, damaged labels, and failing internal batteries. |
Collection Checklist
- Inspect items for damage.
- Clean shelves and storage areas.
- Replace broken cases and sleeves.
- Keep items away from food and drinks.
- Test older discs, tapes, and cartridges.
- Record rare or valuable items in an inventory.