Can anyone recommend an off-site image storage service appropriate for a museum? We are beginning to look at how to handle storage of high-res collections images and I’m doing the fact-finding.

 

 

Hi John,

 

Unfortunately, there is no media on which digital information or images can be stored that is 100% certain to be around x number of years in the future, or to protect said information completely. There is no “store and forget” media on which we can put our data and then ignore it. All digital media requires consistent attention no matter what form it takes. My understanding is that the best options are large-volume storage solutions, typically online/off-site paid services, which backup daily and continuously upgrade their technology to avoid obsolescence. Many offer data retention guarantees. Lesser solutions involving progressively increasing risk, are on-site hard drive and magnetic tape-backup solutions, which require consistent maintenance. The last resort, and highest risk, falls to CDs, DVDs, Blueray, thumbdrives, etc as major storage media.

 

The general rule for image storage is to keep the highest resolution(300dpi+), uncompressed(.tiff) file possible. You can store smaller compressed files for easier use and access, but the maximum quality should be archived. Store the image in color, whether or not the original is technically black and white. “Black and white” images are not actually black and white, but rather an extremely complex array of grays and browns. Scanning in black and white or converting something to black and white removes a great deal of image information in the process, seriously degrading the image. Even if something is faded or discolored, an accurate color representation of its current state should be archived, not a color-managed or altered version.

 

I hope that is helpful. Good luck.

 

 

 

I understand about proper storage of photographs, paper, material, etc., but what about photo images?
What is the best format (.jpg, .pdf, .pdf, .gif or .tiff) to store images?   Of course cds can go bad after
2 to 5 years, and scratched.  Microfilm goes bad and deteriorates.  Hard drives can be corrupted, and
computer systems can be replaced with new technology.  Also, is it best to store images in black and
white or in color or does it matter? 
 
What method(s) are your museum or archives using to store images to last more than 50 years, since 
the original item may not make it that long?  Thanks in advance!
 
John
Boise, Idaho   

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