How many pieces of your institution’s history are sitting in a drawer, silently deteriorating beyond recovery?
Across archives, photographic film and negatives are quietly deteriorating. A condition known as “vinegar syndrome”, a chemical reaction that causes film to warp, shrink, and emit a strong vinegar-like smell can permanently damage historical content if left unaddressed.
For institutions still caring for valuable collections in analog formats such as microfilm, microfiche, and photographic negatives, the window to act is narrowing. Digitisation is no longer just a forward-thinking option, it has become a critical step in ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of these irreplaceable materials.
The risks of delaying digitisation are real, and growing every day:
- Accelerated Decay from Environmental Exposure – film-based materials are highly susceptible to temperature, humidity, and time. Once degradation begins, it accelerates rapidly, often making salvage impossible if action isn’t taken early.
- Vinegar Syndrome Is Permanent – Vinegar syndrome is irreversible. Once a film reel starts deteriorating, even freezing it only slows the process. Digitising is the only way to permanently preserve its content.
- Damaged Film Makes Access Difficult – Microfilm and microfiche readers are difficult to use when the material is scratched or deteriorating, making navigation slow, frustrating and sometimes impossible for researchers and staff.
- Storing Film Is Expensive and Unsustainable – Long-term storage of physical film is expensive and resource-intensive. Once digitised, collections are easier to manage, share, and preserve for generations without the overhead of physical care.
The longer analog film remains undigitised, the greater the risk of irreversible loss. This is not just about preservation – it’s about securing institutional memory, cultural identity, and historical truth.
DatacomIT works with government, cultural, and corporate organisations to safely digitise and preserve film archives, ensuring long-term access and protection.
NOTE: Microfilm Isn’t Going Away
While aging microfilm continues to deteriorate quietly, new technology is giving the medium fresh life. Modern archival microfilm like LE-500 can last up to 500 years, and service providers like DatacomIT can produce it from digital files for long-term, offline backup – especially where cybersecurity and generational preservation matter. Though only a select few institutions are using it, microfilm still holds a vital role in today’s data landscape.