Care and handling of CDs and DVDs : a guide for librarians and archivists

1. Introd. -- Scope Of This Guide -- Use Of Terms: Information, Content, And Data -- Comparative Stability Of Optical Discs And Other Media -- Cds And Dvds: Operation And Variety -- 2. Ensuring That Your Digital Content Remains Available -- 3. Disc Structure -- Polycarbonate (plastic) Substrate Layer -- Data Layer -- Date Layer In Rom Discs -- Data Layer In R Discs -- Data Layer In Rw And Ram Discs -- Metal (reflective) Layer -- Metal Layer In Rw, Rom, And Ram Discs -- Metal Layer In R Discs -- Metal Layers In Double-layer Dvd-rom Discs -- Lacquer (metal Protective) Layer (cds) -- Optional Surface Layer -- 4. How Long Can You Store Cds And Dvds And Use Them Again? -- Cd-rom, Dvd-rom Discs -- Cd-r, Dvd-r, Dvd+r Discs -- Cd-rw, Dvd-rw, Dvd+rw, Dvd-ram Discs -- 5. Conditions That Affect Cds And Dvds -- Environmental Conditions -- Temperature And Relative Humidity -- Light Exposure -- Moisture -- Organic Solvents -- Magnetism, X-rays, Microwaves, And Radiation -- Individual Disc Storage -- Surface-handling Effects -- Scratches On The Laser-reading Side Of Cds And Dvds -- Scratches On The Label Side Of Cds -- Scratches On The Label Side Of Single-sided Dvds -- Fingerprints, Smudges, Dirt, And Dust -- Marking -- Flexing -- Application Of Adhesive Labels -- Disc Surface Printing -- Wear From Disc Play -- 6. Cleaning. By Fred R. Byers. October 2003. Printed From The Clir Website. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 38-42).