Audio preservation is important. Recorded music, even though it is everywhere in our lives, faces an often-overlooked truth. It’s in danger. The technology that introduced sound recordings at the turn of the 20th century has evolved rapidly. With this change comes a growing need for preservation. For decades, sound recordings have captured not only music but stories, cultures, and histories. Many of these are already lost. If we act now, we can still preserve the voices and experiences of past generations before they disappear.
A Long-Term Commitment to Audio Preservation
Right now, I am cataloging thousands of shellac 78rpm records made in Australia during the 1920s and 1930s. Many of these records are more than a century old. This process will take years. Once I finish this project, I’ll move on to a growing collection of CDs featuring Australian artists. I want to ensure their work doesn’t fade into obscurity. This is not a short-term project. It’s a commitment I intend to honour over many decades.
The Risk of Losing Our Musical Legacy
The importance of this work becomes clear when you are aware of how easily many unique recordings from earlier generations become lost. Many are at great risk of disappearing simply because people no longer treat or store them properly. The humid climate in Brisbane, Australia, is particularly unforgiving to shellac and vinyl. And as I continue this work, I see that more modern formats like cassettes and CDs—much less durable than vinyl— also face extinction.
Digital formats once seemed like a simple solution. However, over time archivists have observed that digital files can be prone to corruption. What is more the platforms that store them can be less permanent than we assume. Adding to this compressed audio, which is often used in digital distribution, doesn’t preserve the full quality of the original recordings. If we rely solely on streaming platforms like YouTube or compressed files to store our history, we risk losing its richness.
The Role of Glitter Records in Preserving History
Most record stores focus on nostalgia and trends. Archiving is different. It’s not just about looking back. Archivists often examine periods beyond their own. They seek to understand who other people are, what they valued, and how they lived. Archiving also builds a better bridge to the past, allowing future generations to learn from it.
These recordings reflect the lives, struggles, and aspirations of previous generations. While the task of preservation may seem daunting, it is a commitment worth making. Preserving sound recordings allows us to learn from the wisdom, follies and great achievements of those who came before us. Through preservation efforts, we ensure that the lessons of the past are not lost.
What You Can Do To Help
And the great thing is this. You don’t have to be a professional archivist to help. Whether you’re a fan of music, a collector, or simply someone with an interest in history, you can also share in this important work.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to care for and preserve audio collections, the ARSC Guide to Audio Preservation is an excellent free resource to consult. Published by the Association for Recorded Sound Collections and the Library of Congress, it provides practical advice for people who want to ensure their recordings are preserved for the future. I’ve also written an article here that offers additional tips and insights into caring for vinyl collections, which you might find useful as you embark on this journey.
