Government Records News News from the State and Local Government Record Commissions Vol. Once an agency has decided to microfilm its records, it must choose whether to film in-house or to hire an outside service bureau. Because various methods of allocating work are feasible, the options open to an agency depend upon the money, time, and expertise it has on hand.
Some agencies film their own records but outsource the processing and duplication.
Finding the method that works best requires a careful analysis of the project's goals, benefits, and costs. If records set aside for filming should be needed for quick reference, they are more accessible in-house than in the custody of an outside vendor. However, this problem can be minimized if the timely pick-up, filming, and return of records are guaranteed in the micrographic service contract. The best safeguard is, again, a contract that sets forth those standards and clearly states the penalties for non-compliance. By conducting its own micrographic program, an agency assumes full control of filming, processing, and duplication.