950 CMR 39.07
Inspection
Regular procedures for the periodic inspection of film shall be followed. These procedures are the
responsibility of the custodian of the records, except that the State Records Center will have the
responsibility for inspecting the film stored in its vault.
(1) Inspection Procedure. At approximately two-year intervals, a randomlyselected sample of one
hundred microforms (i.e., rolls, fiche, aperture cards, etc.) or one tenth of onepercentofthe collection,
whichever is greater, shallbe inspected. For any collection of less than 100 microforms of microfilm,
the entire collection must be inspected. For each biennial inspection a different lot sample shall be
chosen, allowing some overlapping to note any changes in previously inspected samples.
Sampling and inspection shall be as described in Recommended Practice for Inspection of
Stored Silver-Gelatin Microforms for Evidence of Deterioration, ANSI/AIIM MS 45.
The film shall be inspected for microbial growths, residual processing chemicals, excessive
brittleness, film curl or discoloration, evidence of separation ofthe emulsion from the base ("blocking
or fused film"), adhesion of the emulsion, base shrinkage and the presence of redox blemishes. A
re-reading of resolution test targets and a remeasurement of the film density shall be made. Cans,
boxes or reels used to store the film shall also be inspected for evidence of rust, corrosion and other
deterioration.
Additional samples of any lot of film rated as in fair condition shall be inspected and the entire lot
of any film rated as poor or bad shall be inspected.
39.07: continued
(2) Inspection Reports. On the basis of inspections, reports shall be prepared and filed regularly with
the Supervisor of Public Records. Reports shall include:
(a) quantity and identity of microfilm on hand;
(b) quantity and identity of microfilm inspected;
(c) condition of the microfilm;
(d) corrective action required if necessary.
In the case of film stored at the State Records Center, the State Records Center shall report to the
agency having custody, the condition of any of its film that has been inspected.
(3) Deteriorating Film. If deterioration is found among the microfilm of permanent records, a more
extensive inspection shall be undertaken to locate all deteriorating film. A silver duplicate shall be
prepared to replace all deteriorating film. A silver duplicate shallbe prepared to replace all film rated
as poor or bad.
(4) Short-term Records. Inspection of the microfilm of records with a retention period of less than
15 years is recommended but not required.