Julie, the archival value is based primarily on content, and can be
migrated. However, media can also have intrinsic value, and may be
preserved as such. You can retain a historic record on a different media
than that on which it was created. Microfilm is probably the most common
example of a media migration of archival records. Hand written deed
books are another.

Note that when media becomes obsolete, that doesn't mean that the
archival value is destroyed. For example, while it is impossible today
to read many esoteric grooved technologies with their original equipment
(cylinders, dictographs, etc...), the advent of laser reading technology
is changing this. Some of the thinking behind digital repositories
recognizes this fact; a break in the ability to migrate or read a
particular technology may not necessarily mean the destruction of that
technology's content. This would argue for preservation, even if we
can't currently access the information. 

Dwight Wallis, CRM
Records Administrator
Multnomah County Records Management Program
1620 SE 190th Avenue
Gresham, OR 97233
phone: (503)988-3741
fax: (503)988-3754
[log in to unmask]

List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
To unsubscribe from this list, click the below link. If not already present, place UNSUBSCRIBE RECMGMT-L or UNSUB RECMGMT-L in the body of the message.
mailto:[log in to unmask]