When local TV stations switched from shooting on film to mostly and then entirely shooting on videotape, most didn't want to maintain their film libraries. Luckily, instead of throwing all of this wonderful historical footage away, many chose to donate it to a local libraries and archives. The problem we face now is that we have these rich collections with their unique local content, and we just don't know what we're allowed to do with them. In most cases, even if the stations kept paperwork, like contracts and materials releases (which many didn't), there's little chance that made it to the archive. So with little to no paperwork and often no stations to turn to for answers (many have gone out of business or change ownership since the 1970s, when this shift occurred), what's an archive to do? Just let the film sit there, rather than sharing it with a public that is most likely curious, interested, and nostalgic? more
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