IV. Procedures for Magnetic Tape

1. Priorities for Magnetic Tape
2. Precautions for Magnetic Tape
3. Salvage and Recovery Procedures for Magnetic Tape
   1. Tapes on Open Reels
   2. Tape Cassettes of Cartridges

IV.1. Priorities for Magnetic Tape

• Salvage older tapes before newer ones, cellulose acetate before PET
• Salvage master and unique tapes, leave those for which back-up copies exist
• Some very old tapes used a paper substrate. Treat these as paper rather than as plastic film. They should be dried as soon as possible.

• If the water is dirty or salty, do not allow tapes to dry out. Rinse them in clean water as soon possible. Magnetic tape that gets wet in a disaster is not in immediate danger unless the water is dirty, or contains corrosive agents (e.g., sea water). If the water is clean, tapes can remain wet at room temperature for several days.
• Avoid recovery methods that use extreme heat or cold--both can damage tapes. Acceptable methods are air drying, dehumidification, and vacuum drying without heat.

• Remove tapes from canisters and remove wrap arounds. Then,

  Tapes contaminated with mud or sewage

  • Rinse as soon as possible in clean water, then proceed as below
  • If necessary to remove mud or sewage, add as little as possible of a mild dish washing liquid (perfume and dye free) to the cleaning water

    Properly wound tapes (good tape pack quality) exposed to clean water

  • Rinse in distilled water
  • Blot carefully with a lint-free towel
  • Air dry vertically at room temperature

• If edges of the tape are fragile (due to poor tape pack) do not blot. If tape is not properly wound and water has gotten inside the tape pack,
  • Separate the reel flanges from the tape using a rubber grommet. This allows air flow and keeps the tape from sticking to the flange.
  • Air dry vertically (do not use heat)
  • When the tape looks dry on the outside, run the tape over [cleaning tissues, felt pads?]
  • Copy the tape

IV.3.3. Tape Cassettes or Cartridges

• If cassettes or cartridges are wet only on the outsides, air dry them on absorbent materials
• If tape is wet inside the cassette of cartridge, dismantle and treat as open reel tapes

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