Only specialist personnel should, therefore, be allowed to handle and replay mechanical carriers. While shellac discs are very fragile, instantaneous and vinyl discs are more likely to be bent by improper storage. Generally, all mechanical discs should be shelved vertically. The only exceptions are some soft variants of instantaneous discs. Dust and dirt of all kind will deviate the pick-up stylus from its proper path causing audible cracks and clicks.
Fingerprints are an ideal adhesive for foreign matter.
A dust-free environment and cleanliness is, therefore, essential. Obsolescence of hardware is not yet a major issue for mechanical carriers. Replay equipment for microgroove and 78rpm discs is still available and several sound archives have constructed cylinder replay machines which offer excellent performance for cylinders of all formats. With the exception of instantaneous discs and cylinders, mechanical carriers are not generally at risk. Because the discs wear when played, migration to a modern digital format will be necessary for items in frequent demand.