29-255-3 Me. Code R. § 8
An agency having custody of a previously produced original microfilm (or, if the original microfilm is no longer in existence, the master copy) of archival records shall prepare a silver duplicate negative copy for its own use, if required, when it finds that such copies are deteriorating or in danger of deterioration. The agency shall also provide an identical copy to the Maine State Archives. Before imaging microforms, the state agency or alternatively the vendor chosen to conduct the imaging, will produce an inventory of the microforms that records the number of microforms (in reels or fiche), the type of microform (16mm, 35mm, microfiche, aperturecards, etc.), its length if applicable (100 or 215 feet), general film quality (resolution, density, image spacing, and the existence of targets, blips, splices, scratches, warping, separation of the emulsion from the base, or other damage), and general image quality (such as blurry images), the age of the film, and the creator of the film (if known).
(NOTE: The Maine State Archives recommends all microfilm cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate based be duplicated onto polyester based film.)
29-255 C.M.R. ch. 3, § 8