I want to add another voice to the battle on preservation.  The work
Jack Breen is doing is of immeasurable historical importance.  Without
this activity many unique documents and performances will be lost.
I refer to the Library of Congress images of some of the earliest
movie films: copies were made and deposited for legal copyright reasons
but with the incalculable benefit that mankind can still view these
art works.

In addition to the preservation of performances on Mills Violano rolls
the transfer to digital information (which is entirely non-invasive to
the original paper) can make the music available to all.  The resultant
files can be activated by electronic means and the music can bring the
entire repertoire for the enjoyment of a Violano owner.

It would be an extreme view to assert that playing paper rolls causes
damage to them.  Properly handled the rolls are hardy and will survive
many playings.  But data transfer means that the music can live while
the paper is conserved.  I can't see any justification, morality or
sense in trying to block access to this heritage of musical
performance.

Jack is presenting a workshop on his scanning project at the AMICA
meeting next month in Chicago and I for one will be there to support
his work.

Michael Woolf
Wellington, New Zealand