R

 

Reformatting

The process of converting information from one form to another - see also reprography and surrogate. Reformatting is usually undertaken when the long-term survival of information can no longer be guaranteed in its current format. Reformatting or information migration is increasingly being used for electronic and digital information as existing hardware and software becomes obsolete.

Relative humidity (RH)

The percentage of moisture contained in air as compared with that required to completely saturate it at a given temperature. A low relative humidity of around 40% is considered ideal for paper storage, but is very difficult to achieve in the humid tropics. Mould growth becomes a serious problem above 70% relative humidity.

Reprography

A range of processes used to copy or produce reproductions of items by optical or photographic means - including photography, photocopying, and microfilming.

Reproduction

See facsimile. A copy of an original item, not necessarily in the same form.

Reversibility

The ability to undo a process or treatment with no or minimal change to the object. Reversibility is an important goal of conservation treatments, but it must be balanced against other treatment goals or options. Full and total reversibility is an ideal that is impossible to achieve.