Library materials, including the CDs and DVDs in Multimedia, are furnished for our patrons to enjoy; kindly treat them with care so future patrons may enjoy them as well. CDs and DVDs are more fragile than you think:
This DVD has a radial crack and cannot be played.
This DVD with heavy scratching has been rendered unplayable.
Please keep out of direct sunlight
Ultraviolet light from the sun has sufficient energy to produce a photochemical reaction, altering the recording layer of writable CDs and DVDs. Also, heat from the sun increases the rate at which the dye layer of the disc breaks down. Some discs in Multimedia are CD-R and DVD-R, so please take care to keep discs out of direct sunlight.
Please do not bend
Bending a disc when removing it from its case causes unseen stresses. Eventually, the disc may not operate in the drive and the laser may not follow the track, rendering the disc unplayable. When removing discs from cases, push on the center button to reduce the amount of force necessary for removal.
Please do not scratch
Scratches prevent the laser from reading areas of the disc and also provide oxygen access to the reflective aluminum layer. Scratches on the data side running outward from the center of the disc (radial scratches) will generally affect play less than scratches running in the same direction as the laser reads the disc (tangential scratches). Care should be taken not to scratch the disc.
Scratches on the label side of CDs can easily cause damage as the reflective metal and data layers are close to the surface of the label. This kind of damage cannot be repaired. DVDs are less susceptible to data loss from label-side scratches.
Please keep away from heat
The life of CDs and DVDs is largely determined by the amount of oxidation of the reflective aluminum layer. High heat and humidity increase the rate of oxidation. With enough heat, a disc can bend or warp, rendering it unplayable. Keep discs away from heat sources, such as hot cars, radiators, and direct sunlight.
Please handle using edges and center hole
Fingerprints, moisture, dust, dirt, and smudges can prevent the laser from following the data track and reading data. Always take care to handle the disc from the edges and the center hole to prevent these and more permanent damage, such as scratches.
If the disc is dirty, please return it for cleaning
We strongly urge patrons to return discs for cleaning. If you do insist on cleaning the disc yourself, do not use strong solvents such as acetone (nail polish remover) or benzene. Such solvents damage the polycarbonate plastic layer of the disc. Limited cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), methanol, water-based lens cleaners, or mild detergent is allowable, though these may damage the label side of the disc.
Always clean the disc using a soft cotton cloth, avoiding paper products and other abrasives. Wipe from the center straight toward the edge of the disc in radial movements. Do not wipe going around the disc.
Reference:
Byers, Fred R. "Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs." Copublished by Council on Library and Information Resources and National Institute of Standards and Technology: October, 2003.
