Excellent cataloging greatly leverages the library's investment in reformatting. Circulating materials are carefully reviewed during processing, and are sometimes brought to the attention of a curator for potential transfer to a special collection. The creation of surrogates makes it possible for special collections to be consulted frequently by researchers, or incorporated into the curricula for core courses and graduate seminars, in cases where digitizing is not practical or possible. Such projects result in greatly enhanced access to the library's holdings. To ensure that publishing projects also accomplish preservation goals, HCL Imaging Services produces all such film, and the library retains both master negatives and the original paper copies.
Publishers receive a printing negative from which to make copies for distribution.
In cases where a brittle book is damaged and beyond repair, and there is evidence that the volume has been consulted frequently in recent years, a paper copy may be made. Disbinding is allowed, as the new paper facsimile will replace rather than duplicate the original volume. Unfortunately, the production of a single paper copy is an inadequate response when a title is rare, or is held only at Harvard. In these cases, microfilm is made to back up the new paper copy. Creation of a master negative, printing master, and service copy provide better insurance that the title will survive.