There is a great deal of enthusiasm for digitising archives, but a lot of confusion about what is involved, what equipment to use, and the standards to follow. Below we have answered some of the more common questions:

Does scanning have a detrimental impact on archives?
Flat bed scanners, which most PC owners have, have a more serious impact on paper and velum than even photocopiers. As a consequence they are not recommended for use with historic archives or antiquarian books. Overhead digital camera solutions can also cause similar degradation. Other options, like large format (A2 and larger) sheet-fed and drum scanners run the risk of damaging the paper through misfeeds and mechanical error.

Why do many scanners cause problems?
The problem with many scanners is that they use lamps which are hot, emitting dangerous Infra Red and Ultra Violet light waves. This dries out the paper and warps velum, deteriorating their condition and shortening their life span. Added to this, bound items have to be pressed flat on the scanner plate, causing damage to the binding. Sheet feeders, like those used with large format scanners are prone to mechanical misfeeds.

How do you avoid these problems?
To avoid stress on binding, items must be imaged from above with a planetary camera, and supported by a cradle (where necessary). The lamps used by the digital array must be cold and free of any Infra-red and Ultra-violet radiation.

What equipment should be used?
There are very few manufacturers of suitable equipment. While there are many manufacturers of planetary cameras, most do not have the right lamps or cradles. We use Bookeye ® units developed by ImageWare in Germany. They use cold lamps and are expensive, but can guarantee the safety of your books and archives. For items larger than A2 we use a custom-built planetary camera array with cold lamps

What are the best formats for digital image files?
We are constantly asked what file format should images be saved in, or what DPI (dots-per-inch) should be used in the imaging process. The simple answer is that you should undertake any digitisation process on the principal of ‘scan once for all purposes’. In other words make sure you get a preservation quality image, which can then be manipulated for output on the web, CD or for print publication. This means you won’t need to digitise the document again.

What is a preservation image?
A preservation image is designed to be of sufficient quality to ensure that the loss of the original will not mean the loss of the content of the original. That means the images should be generated at a minimum of 300DPI. They should also be saved as uncompressed TIF files to ensure they will not become obsolete over time. Storing these files safely is also an important issue, and one we can advise you on to ensure the future of these files.

What about ownership and copyright?
This has become a pressing issue recently, particularly given the past experience with microfilm companies. We can assure you that if you hire Eneclann to carry out imaging work you will own the copyright to the digital images. This will be guaranteed in writing at the time we are contracted to do the work.