Preservation

Like many audio recordings produced during the twentieth century, the Music Time in Africa radio programs are endangered as a result of magnetic tape deterioration. The “Ethical Access to Music Time in Africa” project leaders assessed the priority for digitization using the new MediaSCORE evaluation system developed by Indiana University and AVPreserve. Audiovisual material recorded on acetate tapes yields a MediaSCORE of 3.44 out of 5.0. Polyester tapes, meanwhile, elicit a score of 3.24 out of 5.0. Both scores register as “Moderate Risk-Digitize Soon” in the MediaSCORE system.

Upon digitization of the radio programs, MediaPreserve will provide the “Ethical Access to Music Time in Africa” team with preservation masters, production masters, and use copies. Digital preservation masters will be delivered from School of Information project servers for permanent storage in the MLibrary’s preferred digital repository solution.