Despite pleas from a number of libraries for OCLC to undertake a RETROARC-the copying of all retrospective archival tapes for libraries which lack tapes of all or part of their OCLC files-none is in the offing. OCLC's hesitancy is due in large part to the massive workload involved in the task. The OCLC data base now comprises some 4000 reels of magnetic tape. A planned compression project will reduce the number of tapes by 75% later this year, but a RETROARC would still be an overwhelming undertaking. OCLC may seek to meet the demand by segmenting the task and performing a number of smaller RETROARCs over a period of time. It is unlikely that any project would begin before the second half of 1983. Prices have not yet been determined, but would be higher than those for the current subscription tapes because the costs associated with producing RETROARC tapes are higher.
https://librarytechnology.org/document/3872/