The optical disk pilot program at the Library of Congress

Abstract

The Library of Congress in Washington D. C, USA, has been conducting experiments since 1979 with the library applications of optical storage media. First, the cataloging cards were mechanized which made the master file redundant because copies can be made readily from any card. Damaged cards can be reprinted electronically. This technology was extended by the results of a series of experiments from 1982 to 1986. The storage and retrieval indicators of optical digital and analog recording (videodisk) were investigated. The advantages of the new technology are improved availability of primary documents, combined storage of printed and unconventional documents, video recording and image enhancement, colour digitalization. The inspection problem of the condition of disks was solved, and the copyright protection has been considered as well.