Secondary media
The Swiss National Library (NL) can create copies of original content on secondary media. The documents most at risk from paper degradation are newspapers.
Digitising newspapers
Newsprint paper contains unbleached wood components that cause the paper to turn brown. Old newsprint additionally contain acids from the production processes and become brittle over time. Storing newspapers in a cool environment and limiting their access slows down the paper’s deterioration, preserving the newspapers for future generations. To make the newspapers’ content accessible to users nonetheless, the NL produces secondary media. In the past, this was done through microfilming; today, the National Library digitises its newspaper collections.
Microfilming newspapers
Microfilms are miniature photographic images on rolls of film up to 30 meters long. A black-and-white microfilm on a polyester base has a lifespan of 500 to 1,500 years and can be read with a microfilm viewer without any additional equipment.
A user copy of the original microfilms is created which is available to NL users.
Joint project
Between 1997 and 2018 the NL has been working on a coordinated newspaper microfilming project with other interested institutions (MIKO). This had advantages for all involved:
- No duplicate copies of the same title
- institutions can complement their existing collections
- norms and standards are harmonised
- Storage of a backup copy in a cultural heritage protection facility operated by the Federal Office for Civil Protection
Swiss National Library
Hallwylstrasse 15
Switzerland - 3003 Bern