Film, Audio and Video

Film, audio and video tapes are increasingly generated by individuals and organizations. The format of the medium for such materials makes it difficult to evaluate each item or series as is done with paper or photographic materials. Appraisal must generally be done without the opportunity to review each item by listening to or viewing it; thus film and tape labeling must be used as a major appraisal criteria. The impermanence of audio and video tape is also a concern, as is the availability locally of the equipment to play and transfer from one medium to another.

The Institute defers most collecting in this area to the State Historical Society of North Dakota because of its strength in North Dakota related audio-visual materials, and that it has the facilities to preserve, use and duplicate them. Most times the Institute staff will recommend that a donor of such materials contact the SHSND.

Collecting Areas

Non-commercial A-V material The Institute is very selective in the A-V materials it will accept. The following criteria have been established to appraise all such material offered to the Institute or found in donated collections.

1. Well labeled items or detailed finding aid to such material
2. Correlation with written materials, especially where texts or transcripts duplicate the audio or visual presentation
3. Finished film and video tape. Outtakes and film components ordinarily will not be considered
4. Audio and visual biographies and company histories will normally be retained
5. Film and tape on an obsolete format normally will not be retained, unless the donor is willing to fund its transfer to a current medium
6. Films and tapes likely to be permanently available elsewhere in North Dakota will not normally be eligible for retention
7. Oral or video histories must have a signed deed and transfer of copyright by both the interviewee and interviewer

Commercial audio and visual products Collecting is done on a sampling basis only and all material must relate to North Dakota. Such items include phonograph records, VHS, cassettes, and CDs. All commercial products acquired are cataloged and classified into the Institute's collection.

Considerations

When a sound recording is available in more than one edition, the Institute will seek to acquire the most complete, uncut, and authentic edition available. As to the form of the copy, the Institute will acquire media in the following order of preference: vinyl pressing, open reel tape, CD, cassette.