And last, but not least, always follow the rules
and procedures that have been established by
your command or installation. Check your SOP
manual.
Remember, anytime your library personnel are to
handle magnetic media, whether it be issuing, receiving,
filing, scratching, inventorying, or mailing, they need to
be on the lookout for certain things. They must look for
such things as tapes that are unevenly rewound, write
rings that have not been removed from a newly created
file, cracked tape flanges, worn tape straps, broken or
cracked
tape
canisters,
faded
or
peeling
file
identification or reel identification labels, mismatched
tape reel number against tape strap number, and soon.
Media with problems such as these should not be
released for use or filed in the library until the problems
are corrected.
CARE AND HANDLING OF
MAGNETIC DISKS
As the librarian, you are primarily concerned with
the care, handling, retrieving, storing, and labeling of
magnetic media. When we care for magnetic media
(especially disks or diskettes), an important element of
that care is cleanliness. Disk packs, as well as diskettes,
have a tendency to attract dust, smoke, oil, hair, you
name it, and a disk pack will attract it (or at least it
seems that way).
Because even tiny particles can cause problems, it
is imperative that all AIS spaces (including the media
library) be as contamination-free as possible. For you,
that means all disk pack file drawers must be kept
closed when not in use. Vacuum the disk pack covers
and storage cabinets on a regular basis (at least once a
week) to prevent dust buildup.
It also means you must examine disk pack filters as
often as possible (preferably after every use) to ensure
there is no dust buildup or damage of any kind. If dust
buildup or damage to the filter exists, by all means,
replace the filter before it is to be used again. Be sure no
foreign objects or notes are placed inside the disk pack
covers. Foreign objects have a tendency to fly and, as a
result, could slip between the disk platters and become
undetectable until the disk pack is used. This would
certainly cause severe damage to the pack and drive and
make your maintenance technician very unhappy. If, for
any reason, you suspect a disk pack has been damaged
or dropped, under no circumstances should you release
it from the library until it is checked out by a person
using an authorized pack cleaner/certification device.
Anytime you are retrieving, storing, or just plain
handling a disk pack, always carry it by the handle
located on top of the cover, as illustrated in figure 2-10.
The handle is designed in such a manner that the pack is
supported at its center by locking the cover to the
spindle on the pack. You must ensure that the bottom
cover of the pack is firmly secured (attached), while
holding the pack vertically by the handle. You should
never set the pack down onto the bottom cover. The
locking knob, which is cone-shaped, could puncture the
pack’s filter or possibly bend the disk’s lower platter.
Figure 2-10.—Magnetic disk should be carried level,
using the dust cover handle.
2-16
