[ARSCLIST] FACET release

["Casey, Michael T" <micasey@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ARSCLIST members,

The Sound Directions project team is pleased to announce the release of FACET--the Field Audio Collection Evaluation Tool--to aid selection for preservation. Below you will find the official "press release" with details on how to download the software and accompanying documents. We hope that you find the FACET package useful in your work.

Mike Casey

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Mike Casey
Associate Director for Recording Services
Archives of Traditional Music
Indiana University

(812)855-8090

Co-Chair, ARSC Technical Committee


FACET: Audio preservation selection software

The Sound Directions project at Indiana University and Harvard University announces the release of FACET (Field Audio Collection Evaluation Tool) which is designed to aid selection for preservation. FACET is available from the Sound Directions website at http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/sounddirections/facet/index.shtml

FACET is a point-based, open source software tool that ranks audio field collections based on preservation condition, including the level of deterioration they exhibit and the degree of risk they carry. It assesses the characteristics, preservation problems, and modes of deterioration associated with the following formats: open reel tape (polyester, acetate, paper and PVC bases), analog audio cassettes, DAT (Digital Audio Tape), lacquer discs, aluminum discs, and wire recordings. This tool helps collection managers construct a prioritized list of collections by condition and risk, enabling informed selection for preservation.

The FACET package consists of the following:

§       FACET software
§       FACET Procedures Manual. This is a guide to using the FACET software and an exploration of the preservation selection process
§       FACET formats document entitled Format Characteristics and Preservation Problems with 92 pages and 47 photographs detailing characteristics of, and preservation problems with, the various audio formats treated by FACET
§       Sample FACET worksheets. Paper worksheets for gathering data before using the software

For further information on the Sound Directions project:
http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/sounddirections/index.shtml