Archival quality microfilm offers reassurance that the image on the film will be legible far into the future. No other media offers this level of confidence and re-assurance. We define archival microfilm as that which meets the demands of either the National Preservation Office Guide to Microfilming (aka Mellon Microfilming Project Guidelines (prevalent in the UK) or the RLG Standards (in the USA).

The main advantages of microfilm are:

We are very confident that archival microfilm has a continued place as the mainstay of preservation media in the future.

Our Microfilming Service

Since our foundation eight years ago, the Unit has established itself as a centre of microfilming excellence. All microfilm produced by the Unit is 35mm, of archival quality and silver halide.

By observing every relevant BSI/ISO Standard, including the requirements of the National Preservation Office Guide to Microfilming (aka Mellon Microfilming Project's Guidelines) on Archival Microfilming, we are confident that our microfilm is of the highest quality in the UK.

Visit our gallery for an illustrated guide to the microfilming process.

Preparation

The Unit employs staff trained in conservation to carefully prepare all collections prior to filming. All our processes and materials conform to preservation standards. Preparation includes:

In some cases we advise that certain volumes be dis-bound to create the best possible reproduction of the original. The Unit can supply customers with made-to-measure acid-free storage boxes for their collections, constructed in the bindery of the National Library of Scotland.

Filming

The Unit works with specialist cameras and equipment designed for the archival microfilming of paper-based collections, guaranteeing the best possible image of every collection. The Unit is able to work with all sizes and formats, and with collections that have damaged or have tight binding. We meet every quality standard for density and resolution.

The equipment used in the Unit is designed for archival microfilming. All our cameras, processor, duplicator, densitometer, ultra-sonic splicer and microscope are regularly maintained and calibrated. Book cradles are used at all times to minimise damage and collections are filmed under glass. We have a programme of replacement and assessment of all equipment we use.

We test the chemistry of our processor once per day. Residual Thiosulphate test (also known as a Methylene Blue test), to BSI 1153:1992, and a Quality Control test are carried out by Kodak on a monthly basis.

In everything we do, we are guided by the fact that we are responsible for preserving the nation's heritage by producing a high quality product.

Storage of Film

Microfilm is supplied on chemically inert archival reels with built in trailer-locks to prevent film being wound off the reel thereby jamming the reading machinery. Film is stored in archival boxes which are acid free and is held on the reel by paper tags that are also acid-free.

When the Unit preserves an item on archival microfilm we create three reels of film.

The process of creating a Master Negative, Copy Negative and Working Positive is the only acceptable process for the creation of microfilm with archival quality.

The SNMU is a founding member of the Disaster Recovery Programme run by Kodak. This scheme allows for any film produced by the Unit and damaged in a disaster to be transported to the USA, recovered and repaired and returned to the UK. Kodak supplies expert staff and meets all costs, except the transportation of the reels to the USA.

Timetable & Pricing Structure

Wherever possible we film from the holdings of the National Library of Scotland. This prevents services having to transport precious collections to the Unit. Where a collection is unique and only held by the customer the Unit is happy to arrange for the transportation of the collection using our staff or a reputable courier service. This service will be charged for at cost.

The Unit prides itself on a quick turn-around. We always try to give realistic estimates for the time to prepare and microfilm a collection. The Unit always endeavours to finish filming before a deadline.

The prices below are our basic prices. Additional charges may be levied for extra preparation work required prior to filming. A reel of microfilm will take up to 600 frames, which is equal to 600 pages of broadsheet or 1200 pages of tabloid material. Are prices are reviewed annually every July.