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Photographic materials are sensitive. They can suffer from chemical reactions such as silver

mirroring, fading, or emulsion cracking. Restoration begins with careful humidification and
flattening for curled or warped photos. In cases of image loss, high-resolution scanning and

digital reconstruction are used to create surrogate images that replicate the original.

In audiovisual media, restoration often involves physical repairs to the tape—such as re-

spooling or replacing broken reels—and cleaning magnetic surfaces to ensure better

playback. Tapes and records are vulnerable to magnetic loss and fungal infestation. Once
restored to playable condition, content is typically digitized to a contemporary format, as the

analogue medium may no longer be possible.

Microfilms and microfiches, widely used in libraries from the mid-20th century onward, can

suffer from “vinegar syndrome”—a chemical breakdown of acetate film that emits a vinegary

odour. Restoration includes duplication onto polyester film or digitization. Scratched or
broken reels are treated with film-specific solvents and patching techniques.

Non-print materials often have shorter life spans than print. Thus, restoration is generally
followed by migration to digital formats, ensuring both longevity and accessibility. However,

the goal is always twofold: to rescue original media where possible and to create sustainable

access pathways for the future.

Restoration of Electronic Materials

Electronic materials, or born-digital content, present a newer yet equally pressing concern for
library professionals. These include e-journals, CDs, DVDs, online repositories, databases, and

digital images. Unlike print or analogue non-print materials, digital content doesn’t degrade
visibly—it becomes inaccessible due to technological obsolescence, hardware failure, or

software incompatibility.

The restoration of electronic materials typically begins with data recovery. This may involve
retrieving files from corrupted hard drives, scratched optical discs, or outdated storage media

such as floppy disks. Specialized software is used to recover lost or partially damaged data,
which is then checked for integrity and completeness.

Another important part of digital restoration is format migration. Many digital files are stored
in proprietary or obsolete formats that modern systems can no longer open. Migration involves

converting these files into open, standardized formats like PDF/A, TIFF, or XML. These

formats are widely supported, better documented, and more stable for long-term preservation.

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