I hope there aren't a lot of reels of film in the trunk of that car.  Heat
and humidity certainly can damage microfilm.  One important variable is
the fluctuation of temperature and the resultant condensation of moisture
on the film.  There will be greater damage if the temperature and the
humidity rise and fall because everytime it cools offs moisture condenses
on the film with resulting danger of damage.  There's not much you can do
about the damage already done; however, if the film is still in the car
you can try to avoid further damage by cooling it slowly to its storage
temperature rather than taking it from extreme heat to extreme cold.  Good
luck!

Carol Schaafsma
Head, Collection Services Division
University of Hawaii Libraries

carols@hawaii.edu
Phone: 808-956-2473
FAX:   808-956-5968

On Fri, 23 Aug 1996, Paul Burnam wrote:

> Replies to Paul Burnam <PDBURNAM@CC.OWU.EDU> and to the list would
> be welcome.   --editor.
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Can anyone on this discussion list please provide me with some information
> on the durability of microfilm?  A friend who was to return some microfilm I
> had borrowed from her college's library forgot that it was in the trunk of
> her car and went to New York for a week.  My question is how will the
> microfilm hold up in the trunk of a car sitting in an uninsulated garage for
> over a week?  We have had a week of days with the high around 90 degrees and
> high humidity.  Will the microfilm be damaged while it sits in the car?
>
> Please reply directly to me because I am not a subscriber to this list.
> Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.
>
> PAUL BURNAM, PUBLIC SERVICES LIBRARIAN
> Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries
> Delaware, OH 43081-2312
> (614) 368-3240 (office)
> (614) 368-3222 (fax)
> Internet:  pdburnam@cc.owu.edu