Thanks for the responses.  
One more question not related to electronic/digitized records.  
Is microfilm still the preservation media of choice for paper?
Donna

>>> Jesse Wilkins <[log in to unmask]> 4/3/2008 9:43 AM >>>
Hi Donna, 

What Fred said. There are some materials that will last longer than that, or are at least claimed to last longer than that by the vendors(!), but the much larger issue is access to hardware capable of reading such media in 15 or 50 or 100 years, to a computer that can interface with such a reader (drivers, cabling, etc.), and to software that can interpret the data on the media. 

The best you can do today in my opinion is to select good quality media, use standard media types and file formats, store them in reasonably stable environments, and plan and budget for migration every 5-10 years. It's an ugly solution, but it's better than about anything else readily available today. 

Regards, 

Jesse Wilkins
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