Please excuse this rather long message. In November, I asked list members
for information on scanning services provided by their repositories. A
number of you asked for a summary of the information, which I am now able to
provide. This is very much 'work in progress', so I would be pleased if
anyone has further information to add, or corrects my technical knowledge!
May I also thank those who provided me with information.
There were 4 methods of digital reproduction in use in repositories:
hand-held scanner, flat bed scanner, book scanner, and digital camera.
Outputs were offered in a variety of formats: photocopy-style, glossy
photographic style, on CD ROM, and also a photographic restoration service,
whereby the image was 'repaired' on screen by removing scratches, marks,
etc.
There was also a variety of approaches to the image files. After the
document was scanned, and the printout provided for the customer, offices
either kept the image file for 2 weeks in case of customer query, stored the
image file in case another customer requested a copy of the same document,
or kept the image file as a preservation surrogate. Images can be held in
jpeg format, to take up less disk space. Bitmap images can be copied into
WORD documents, but cannot be compressed, nor can tif files. Storing large
numbers of images on a PC hard drive may not be advisable.
I have notes on the type of scanning equipment used in repositories, some of
which is now out of date as it was purchased some years ago. I am happy to
pass on this on, but feel it is rather detailed for the listserv! Some
scanners will output to a standard multi-user printer, others work better
with a dedicated printer. One printer cartridge can produce 40 - 45 full
page colour printouts. Some flat bed scanners can scan slides, photographs
and glass plate negatives, as well as more conventional document formats.
The book scanner is particularly suited to material which needs careful
handling and protection from heat and light, as the camera is about 2 ft
above the document. The digital camera has similar advantages. The hand held
scanner caused minimal damage when used by trained staff. The flat bed
scanner has the same preservation problems as a photocopier as regards bound
volumes, etc.
Charges for printouts range from 75p for a B&W A4, to £16.25 for a B&W A3.
Glossy printouts were about twice as much as matt ones (£15 for glossy A3
colour). Glossy paper was only 20p more per sheet from one supplier.
Scanning produces images in greater detail than photocopying; these can also
be manipulated using software such as Photoshop, which often comes bundled
with scanners. The established services were popular, and more recent
services were finding their popularity increasing, too. Operator costs
should be built in to the price to the customer, as scanning is more labour
intensive than photocopying in order to produce a good quality result.
Approaches to the copyright question were also varied. No-one I spoke to
used watermarks, the reason given was that they were too expensive. Most
offices used copyright declaration forms and stamped the back of printouts.
Customers requiring output to CD ROM were asked more about the use of the
image. Many offices used a sufficiently low resolution to ensure the images
were unsuitable for publication without permission.
I hope this information is useful. It is very much a summary, so please
contact me for more details.
Heather Needham
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Heather Needham, Archivist
Libraries and Heritage, Suffolk County Council
St Andrew House
County Hall
IPSWICH IP4 1LJ
Tel.: 01473 584572, Fax: 01473 584549
Web site: http://www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/libraries_and_heritage/
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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