Dear colleagues
Thanks very much for all the responses to this question and good wishes. I now have a lot of information for my parents. I will summarise for the list (and respond personally to those who have taken the trouble to contact me) when I have a chance.
Regards
Sarah
*******
Mrs Sarah J A Stark
Chair, Website Sub-Committee
Society of Archivists
c/o 45 Amherst Road
London W13 8LX
[log in to unmask]
www.archives.org.uk
*******
----- Original Message ----
From: Sarah Stark <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, 30 July, 2007 9:11:24 AM
Subject: Waterlogged floppy disks in a wooden drawer
Dear all
I hope this question is relevant to the list but I admit it is being asked for personal rather than solely professional reasons.
My parents' house was flooded during the Oxfordshire inundations ten days ago and they are clearing up. Among the various flotsam and jetsam are some floppy disks which are still in a drawer in a wooden chest or desk. The drawer has swollen and it cannot be opened - we think there is still water in it. My questions are:
1) Will the disks be affected by waterlogging? Should the drawer be forced open or should we wait or attempt to dry out the outside first in the hope that it shrinks a bit? (I guess it depends which is more valuable/important, the drawer or the disks.)
2) If the disks are affected by waterlogging can they be restored?
I note from TNA's Digital Preservation pages that short term storage of floppy disks can be in up to 80% humidity, but 100% may be pushing it and in any case these disks are I think quite old.
I would be very grateful for off-list responses - which I will summarise.
All best wishes and commiserations with anyone else who has been flooded.
Sarah
*******
Mrs Sarah J A Stark
Chair, Website Sub-Committee
Society of Archivists
c/o 45 Amherst Road
London W13 8LX
[log in to unmask]
www.archives.org.uk
*******
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