Storing Records

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 37, 28 March 1930, Page 7

Storing Records

Records

Care and Preservation

HE satisfactory storing of one’s re cords often presents a problem. As often as not they are carelessly treated. and their life is frequently seriously shortened. The problem is not an easy one to solve, and many overcome it by heaping their records haphazardly | together, mostly without covers. Although at first the results of this bad practice are not apparent, they soon manifest themselves in the shortened life of the record. Blectrical reproduction has perhaps the disadvantage that it shows up flaws in records much more prominently than does the mechanical method. Records left without covers sooner or later become broken. As they are handled every time records are selected from the bundle, they become badly fingered, greasy, and not infrequently slippery. In this state they are easily dropped-and that is the end. If records are to be kept in a pile, they should always be placed: in covers, : It is only a matter of habit to slip the record back after it has been used, yet so’ many people, in their hurry to change records, do not stop to replace a record, and before long it has lost its cover. Storing records in a pile is really an untidy way of keeping them. Before any particular record can be selected, the whole pile must be gone through, and frequent handling increases the chance of breakage, The ideal method of keeping records is in an indexed album. A little care und organisation along these lines is necessary, but once the system is commenced it is easily followed. Albums are fairly expensive, but they pay for themselves when good records dre used. In selecting an album, obtain one in which the leaves are arranged so that the record cannot slip right down into the hinged portion. The last half-inch of the leaf usually bends, and if the record is placed down this far it is liable to have the half-inch broken off. Probably the most economical method of storing records is to build a record box, about 13 inches square (internal dimensions). The interior can be divided off with three-ply into sections in which the records can be arranged. Where sections are not wanted, or where the records are to be kept in many sections, projecting strips should be used instead of the full partition. This system has the advantages of the album without the expense or- the liability of records to break at the edges. A well-finished box can be obtained from a cabinetmaker for a small sum, but the handy man will do doubt be able to manufacture one from halfinch timber. By numbering the records and keeping an index in the lid it is possible to get any record at a moment’s notice. For safety a good catch should be attached to the lid. .

A special Haydn evening will be staged at 1YA on Monday, March 31, and in order to apprise listeners of a little that is in store for them, ‘we are devoting some of our space to Haydn and his music. On occasions such as these the gramophone radio combination shows its superiority. There will be excerpis of the broadcast that the musically-inclined listener will wish to hear again; and this is possible only with the gramophone.