1. Game Over: Disaster Planning for
the Computer and Video Game
Archive
Rebecca Frank
frankrd@umich.edu

2. Introduction
 About the CVGA
 Preservation Assessment
 Preservation Plan
 Disaster Plan

3. About the CVGA: Mission
 Preservation of the gaming experience
 The CVGA “collects materials relating to games for the
purpose of academic inquiry, including but not limited to:
programming and technology, artistic and literary
expression, social and cultural impact, and instruction and
education
 http://www.lib.umich.edu/computer-video-game-archive

4. About the CVGA: The Collection
 Approximately 2,200 games
 cartridges, floppy disks, cassette tapes, optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and
Blu-rays), and digital files
 40-50 unique computer and video game platforms
 televisions, computers, monitors, video game consoles, handheld game
consoles, game accessories (controllers, joysticks, etc.), and an arcade
cabinet
 Ephemera, such as miscellaneous manuals, magazines, and strategy guides
 Materials within the collection are approximately 50% contemporary and
50% vintage

5. About the CVGA: Location
 Located in the basement of the Duderstadt Center, which opened in 1996
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
david_s_carter/5507085133/in/
set-72157625769567484/
Mlibrary. (2006). Untitled Photograph of the Duderstadt Center.

6. Phase 1: Preservation Assessment
 Identified four major areas for concern:
 Vulnerability to Power Events
 Storage: Protection and Organization
 User Accountability
 Reliance on Staff (vs. Documentation)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_s_carter/
5507078599/sizes/o/in/set-72157625769567484/

7. Phase 1: Preservation Assessment
 Short-Term Priorities
 Unplug Everything When Not in Use
 User Guidelines
 Tracking Usage (MIRLYN)
 Organized Storage
 Develop, Implement, and Maintain a Disaster
Plan
 Continue to Monitor Temperature and Relative Humidity

8. Phase 1: Preservation Assessment
 Middle-Term Priorities
 Protection Specific to Different Types of Computer and
Video Game Media
 Inventory
 Formalized Global Policies and Procedures
 Storage Area for Items Not in Use
 Guidelines for Transportation and Exhibition

9. Phase 1: Preservation Assessment
 Long-Term Priorities
 Stabilize Humidity
 Develop Media Repair Skills
 Emulation/Migration
 Hire Additional Interns
 Other Considerations
 Furniture Selection
 Increased Visibility/Fund-Raising

10. Phase 2: Preservation Plan

11. Phase 2: Preservation Plan
 Relocation
 Clean Equipment, Consoles and Shelving at New Location
 Organize Items on Shelves
 Barcode/Catalog Items and Place in Protective Sleeves
 Unplug Items When Not In Use, Install Kill Switch
 Storage
 Boxes for Ephemera and Game Boy Games
 Cover Consoles When Not In Use
 Remove Post-Its From All Items
 Disaster Plan

12. Phase 2: Preservation Plan
 Long-Term Recommendations
 Emulation/Migration
 Environmental Monitoring
 Fundraising

13. Phase 3: Disaster Plan
 Types of Disasters
 Replacement vs. Salvage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministrylink/183586484/

14. Phase 3: Disaster Plan
 Template:
http://www.lib.umich.edu/preservation-and-conservation/
emergency-response
 Salvage Priorities
 Disaster Response and Recovery Teams
 Training

15. Thank You
Julianna Barrera-Gomez, Holly Beeman, David Carter, John Pas,
Kendra Tsai, Valerie Waldron, Elizabeth Yakel, Shannon Zachary