By Harriet Porter
There are different reasons for digitizing materials in government, institutions and private entities. Whichever the reason, it is important to consider several factors to ensure that the process is successful. It will ensure that your archival digitization endeavor achieves the goals of preservation and easy access. These considerations regard the specific items, the entire project and future needs.
Safety of the materials remains your primary concern until completion of the project. This safety largely depends on their current condition. Old and dilapidated materials are prone to tear and disintegration in the process of digitizing. Professional preparation and handling minimizes damage and preserves the original transcripts for future reference and sentimental value.
A thorough evaluation of the risk is done with the aim of identifying alternatives that will give you better value. This will ensure that the materials are preserved. The alternative lies in a better working space or advanced scanning equipment. This will minimize physical handling and simplify your procedures.
Safety of the materials remains your primary concern until completion of the project. This safety largely depends on their current condition. Old and dilapidated materials are prone to tear and disintegration in the process of digitizing. Professional preparation and handling minimizes damage and preserves the original transcripts for future reference and sentimental value.
A thorough evaluation of the risk is done with the aim of identifying alternatives that will give you better value. This will ensure that the materials are preserved. The alternative lies in a better working space or advanced scanning equipment. This will minimize physical handling and simplify your procedures.
The skills and experience of your chosen personnel or contract determine the outcome during digitization of records. Experts will identify the uniqueness of your project and advise accordingly. A brief allows consensus building to map the best approach and reduce time taken to deliver on your project. It reduces the cost while protecting original transcripts from damage.
There is need to treat some materials before scanning. This is informed by their condition. Some materials and surfaces require special substances. Your consultant on archival services will offer directions in this regard. This will reduce the time taken to digitize the materials. Treatment will preserve your materials in their original state.
Considerations should be made for temporary support with the aim of reducing interference. The support comes in the form of temporary storage or handling by a conservator. This will reduce your budget and allow you to digitize the materials at your convenience. Conservators allow you to plan your work well and thus simplify the process as well as reduce the cost.
Timing is important during digitization. A cost effective approach must be adopted to ensure that the process takes the least time possible. This will minimize risks and shield your materials from damage.
Some problems should catch your eye before commencing the process because of the possibility of slowing down scanning. The presence of creases and folds obscures images and text. Cockled photos, images and papers require flattening before you begin to digitize any material.
Torn pages are bound to cause trouble if the tear exceeds quarter an inch. Bonding on some books may be loose causing malfunction at joints, boards and the spine. This is likely to affect the smoothness of workflow especially when placing them on scanners. Other books are bound in such a way that they cannot open further than 90 degrees. Such classification simplifies your work.
Success when digitizing any
Considerations should be made for temporary support with the aim of reducing interference. The support comes in the form of temporary storage or handling by a conservator. This will reduce your budget and allow you to digitize the materials at your convenience. Conservators allow you to plan your work well and thus simplify the process as well as reduce the cost.
Timing is important during digitization. A cost effective approach must be adopted to ensure that the process takes the least time possible. This will minimize risks and shield your materials from damage.
Some problems should catch your eye before commencing the process because of the possibility of slowing down scanning. The presence of creases and folds obscures images and text. Cockled photos, images and papers require flattening before you begin to digitize any material.
Torn pages are bound to cause trouble if the tear exceeds quarter an inch. Bonding on some books may be loose causing malfunction at joints, boards and the spine. This is likely to affect the smoothness of workflow especially when placing them on scanners. Other books are bound in such a way that they cannot open further than 90 degrees. Such classification simplifies your work.
Success when digitizing any records depends on your nature of preparation. Consultations with experts ensure that you get proper equipment and skilled personnel to complete the project. It reduces the time taken and consequently the cost of the entire process without compromising the quality of work.
Timing is important during digitization. A cost effective approach must be adopted to ensure that the process takes the least time possible. This will minimize risks and shield your materials from damage.
Some problems should catch your eye before commencing the process because of the possibility of slowing down scanning. The presence of creases and folds obscures images and text. Cockled photos, images and papers require flattening before you begin to digitize any material.
Torn pages are bound to cause trouble if the tear exceeds quarter an inch. Bonding on some books may be loose causing malfunction at joints, boards and the spine. This is likely to affect the smoothness of workflow especially when placing them on scanners. Other books are bound in such a way that they cannot open further than 90 degrees. Such classification simplifies your work.
Success when digitizing any records depends on your nature of preparation. Consultations with experts ensure that you get proper equipment and skilled personnel to complete the project. It reduces the time taken and consequently the cost of the entire process without compromising the quality of work.