# Preservation Science for Recordings On Magnetic Tape

The Library of Congress holds a collection of over half a million audio recordings on magnetic tape, and its collection suffers the same physical maladies that are familiar to audiovisual curators worldwide: sticky, shedding, and squealing audio tape materials. These symptoms of deterioration well known, but the possible causes and remedies for degradation still inspire passioned debate. The highly commercialized and mass-produced nature of magnetic tapes presents challenges in preserving these “modern” collections in contrast to singular unique historic objects, as the “same” product line may have inherent variations that affect its stability over time. PRTD has scientifically analyzed a range of degraded tapes to better understand how best to preserve them and enable their continued access. This talk will present scientific analyses related to the physical preservation of magnetic tapes, including topics such as sticky shed, remedial thermal treatments, and cleaning methods that have since been adopted by NAVCC.

- Kind: Talk
- Year: 2026
- Runtime: 1 h 4 min
- By: Martyniak, Cathleen
- Genres: Science
- Archive: [Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/item/video-11922/)
- Licence or status: Rights statement at the Library of Congress (as the archive states it)
- Credit: Library of Congress
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/loc/video-11922?play=1)