Media Release: State Film Library Rescued- January 13 2010
Written on January 14, 2010 by MichaelH
MEDIA RELEASE
January 13th 2010
State film library rescued.
What: Following a decision to dispose of a large section of the State film lending library, a group of local volunteers have prevented nearly 6000 16mm film prints from possibly going to the tip.
Where: The collection is being removed from the Alexander Library building and taken to an alternative secure storage site.
When: The films are being removed on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th this week.
The State non WA heritage 16mm film collection comprising of nearly 6000 prints was recently put out to tender for disposal. The collection contained some titles which were originally in the catalogue of the Education department’s Audio Visual film library of the 1940’s, at a time when 16mm film projectors were the principal means of visual education in the schools. The collection was later absorbed into the newly created State Film Library. In later years many iconic Australian and overseas productions were also added to the catalogue.
With the decision to close the film library, brought on by the declining number of borrowers who were now using the more convenient DVD’s, also the pressure on the infrastructure to house and maintain the collection, and most importantly the deterioration of many of the prints with its attendant health and safety issues, the many cinema classics, documentaries, early silent comedies and news items spanning many decades were destined to an unknown fate. All the WA heritage related films have been retained by the library and transferred to a new high quality film storage vault in the building.
When members of AMMPT (The Australian Museum of Motion Picture Technology Inc.) became aware of the intended disposal, it was decided to invest some of their funds to make sure the collection remained in the State and to put effort into preserving those prints that could be saved. There was talk that others were intending to purchase the collection and burn the prints to retrieve the silver content. At the moment the collection is being housed in temporary secure storage till a more permanent site can be found for them and AMMPT’s collection of significant historic film and television equipment. The prints capable of restoration will be added to their existing film library and eventually made available to selected borrowers in order that future generations may enjoy real film culture.
Graham Lacey in cap, and Tony Smith inspect films at State Library.
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