PROJECT OBJECTIVES 2003
Emerging Technologies and How its Changed our Mission
After completing our digital project, scanning images was put on hold. With a small staff, limited funding and changing technologies, we felt uncomfortable continuing the project.
With 200 S.D. Warren Photographs, 800 Lantern Slides, 100 photographs of Westbrook History and 150 glass slides and canisters of 16mm film, digitizing our visual collection would require more funding and trained volunteers. Compound that with changing technology, a decision was made to put digital projects on hold. In the meantime, the S.D. Warren Photograph Collection for the web, small that it was, generated interest among patrons whose families were employed there and researchers who used photographs for their publications.
From Feb. 2002 to June 2003, the library was underwent a major renovation and expansion project. The building was shut down and 90% of the collection was stored at an off-site facility. Archives were also stored off-site. We set up a small temporary library branch until we were able to reopen. A new archives and bindery was part of the new renovations and we were anxious to get everything back in place.
Since 1997, digital technology grew while software and hardware became more multimedia friends. SCSI and Parallel ports became USB. 24 bit color scanners costing $1300 were now under $400 with up to 48-bit technology. Now you could purchase scanners that not only could scan 35mm slides, but glass negatives and lantern slides as well. Most all computers came with Photoshop LE and HTML editing program offered more flexibility. External hard drives were more reasonable in price ($150 for 70 GB) and rewritable CD-ROM and DVD-ROM became a staple among Macintosh computers.
Benchmark standards were set for digital collections when along came the Maine Memory Project (http://www.mainememory.net/). Out went our old MAC clone and in came an IMac. With added GB memory space and Rewritable CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, storing high quality large format images was simple. I discussed with Kathy Amoroso of the Maine Memory Project the idea of redefining our digital imaging project, only this time for true preservation and accessibility.
Because the original digital files of the 52 photographs from the Warren Collection were low resolution, we felt we needed to rescan them again at Hi-res. The question in mind to anyone who is reading this is:
Are you not repeating work you had done seven years ago? The answer is yes. With the knowledge and available technology, this was the best we could do.
If we scan sufficiently and correctly, then all we have to do is scan that image once. The high quality resolution image will allow us to use that image over and over again for future use—web design, online exhibitions, for publications and public relations. With a high quality image we can print the photograph in its original size (i.e. 8 x 10 or 10 x 13) and lose little or no detail or information. Although we have to rescan 52 images, it is only 52 images, not 1000.
We went back to our original project objectives and made the following changes and additions:
PROJECT OBJECTIVES 2003:
SCANNING THE PHOTOGRAPHS - BENCHMARK
Hardware & Software • 2003
Together with the renovation and expansion, budget money was set aside for new computers and digital equipment for the library and archives. For our archives, we purchased an 800 MHz IMAC (OS 10.2) with rewritable CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, 256 Mb Ram memory and 60 GB external hard drive. (approx. $1,250). The computer also had AirPort installed for wireless connectivity.
We purchased an EPSON Perfection 3200 Pro Scanner 48 Bit USB with the ability to scan photographs, 35mm slides, lantern slides and glass slides. ($575).
The software Photoshop LE came with the computer so this is the program we used to scan our photographs. We followed Maine Memory Networks Benchmark standards:
Photographs must be scanned to print at 300dpi (dots per inch).
File formats would be scanned as .tiff files with a second file saved as a .jpeg
File size for high quality color digital scans: 40.5 MB
File size for high quality black & white digital scans: 13.3 MB
The large files sizes will ensure printable output up to 11” x 14” without losing information. This is not to replace the original. The original is stored in archives and handling of these fragile images are protected by providing these digital images in lieu of the originals with the understanding that part of the reason we preserve the originals because of their evidential value.
There are a number of reasons why we chose to produce high quality digital images:
Technical standards followed were established by “Maine Memory.” This produced the highest quality scan that became our master scan image:
Image quality Benchmarks established by “Maine Memory” and followed by the Warren Memorial Library as:
VENDOR SUPPORT – MAINE MEMORY PROJECT
Since Maine Memory’s inception in 2001, we are finding that their database can hold our entire Lantern Slide collection. We have a partnership with them that allows us to digitize our lantern slides and upload them to their website. This partnership is making it possible for the State of Maine access to our collections. Copyright and Fair Use are all handled under Maine Memory Network and cataloging can be done by us or by them. It is a nice partnership with technology support.
We understand the importance of collaboration but also understand that certain institutions must take responsibility for their collections.
Emerging Technologies and How its Changed our Mission
After completing our digital project, scanning images was put on hold. With a small staff, limited funding and changing technologies, we felt uncomfortable continuing the project.
With 200 S.D. Warren Photographs, 800 Lantern Slides, 100 photographs of Westbrook History and 150 glass slides and canisters of 16mm film, digitizing our visual collection would require more funding and trained volunteers. Compound that with changing technology, a decision was made to put digital projects on hold. In the meantime, the S.D. Warren Photograph Collection for the web, small that it was, generated interest among patrons whose families were employed there and researchers who used photographs for their publications.
From Feb. 2002 to June 2003, the library was underwent a major renovation and expansion project. The building was shut down and 90% of the collection was stored at an off-site facility. Archives were also stored off-site. We set up a small temporary library branch until we were able to reopen. A new archives and bindery was part of the new renovations and we were anxious to get everything back in place.
Since 1997, digital technology grew while software and hardware became more multimedia friends. SCSI and Parallel ports became USB. 24 bit color scanners costing $1300 were now under $400 with up to 48-bit technology. Now you could purchase scanners that not only could scan 35mm slides, but glass negatives and lantern slides as well. Most all computers came with Photoshop LE and HTML editing program offered more flexibility. External hard drives were more reasonable in price ($150 for 70 GB) and rewritable CD-ROM and DVD-ROM became a staple among Macintosh computers.
Benchmark standards were set for digital collections when along came the Maine Memory Project (http://www.mainememory.net/). Out went our old MAC clone and in came an IMac. With added GB memory space and Rewritable CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, storing high quality large format images was simple. I discussed with Kathy Amoroso of the Maine Memory Project the idea of redefining our digital imaging project, only this time for true preservation and accessibility.
Because the original digital files of the 52 photographs from the Warren Collection were low resolution, we felt we needed to rescan them again at Hi-res. The question in mind to anyone who is reading this is:
Are you not repeating work you had done seven years ago? The answer is yes. With the knowledge and available technology, this was the best we could do.
If we scan sufficiently and correctly, then all we have to do is scan that image once. The high quality resolution image will allow us to use that image over and over again for future use—web design, online exhibitions, for publications and public relations. With a high quality image we can print the photograph in its original size (i.e. 8 x 10 or 10 x 13) and lose little or no detail or information. Although we have to rescan 52 images, it is only 52 images, not 1000.
We went back to our original project objectives and made the following changes and additions:
PROJECT OBJECTIVES 2003:
- To create an archival quality digital master scan for preservation as well as accommodating future needs and applications.
- To help create future online exhibition
- To explore various methods of image capture and conversion to digital format.
- To help increase access to underutilized visual materials of historically significant photographs via internet
- To develop copyright and fair use policies
- To explore other institutions who have pursued similar avenues.
SCANNING THE PHOTOGRAPHS - BENCHMARK
Hardware & Software • 2003
Together with the renovation and expansion, budget money was set aside for new computers and digital equipment for the library and archives. For our archives, we purchased an 800 MHz IMAC (OS 10.2) with rewritable CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, 256 Mb Ram memory and 60 GB external hard drive. (approx. $1,250). The computer also had AirPort installed for wireless connectivity.
We purchased an EPSON Perfection 3200 Pro Scanner 48 Bit USB with the ability to scan photographs, 35mm slides, lantern slides and glass slides. ($575).
The software Photoshop LE came with the computer so this is the program we used to scan our photographs. We followed Maine Memory Networks Benchmark standards:
Photographs must be scanned to print at 300dpi (dots per inch).
File formats would be scanned as .tiff files with a second file saved as a .jpeg
File size for high quality color digital scans: 40.5 MB
File size for high quality black & white digital scans: 13.3 MB
The large files sizes will ensure printable output up to 11” x 14” without losing information. This is not to replace the original. The original is stored in archives and handling of these fragile images are protected by providing these digital images in lieu of the originals with the understanding that part of the reason we preserve the originals because of their evidential value.
There are a number of reasons why we chose to produce high quality digital images:
- These images provide us with unedited, information rich files that closely represent the original
- High quality digital images reduces the need to re-scan (remember, we had to rescan all 52 low resolution scanned images!)
- A high quality digital image is rich in information to accommodate most future needs and applications such as online exhibitions, publications and public relations work.
Technical standards followed were established by “Maine Memory.” This produced the highest quality scan that became our master scan image:
- Printable color scans should be 40.5 to 52 MB opened.
- B/W (gray scale) photographs should be scanned as color and be between 13.5 and 14.5 MG opened.
- All files should be JPEG format with minimal compression
- Bit depth should be 24 bits for color images
- Color images should be RGB format, not CMYK
Image quality Benchmarks established by “Maine Memory” and followed by the Warren Memorial Library as:
- Color and tonal range should convey the same appearance of the original document.
- Color and total range assessment is highly subjective and caries according to the viewing environment and characteristics of each monitor
- Any street signs or text in a scan should be as legible as in the original image when the scan is viewed at 100%
VENDOR SUPPORT – MAINE MEMORY PROJECT
Since Maine Memory’s inception in 2001, we are finding that their database can hold our entire Lantern Slide collection. We have a partnership with them that allows us to digitize our lantern slides and upload them to their website. This partnership is making it possible for the State of Maine access to our collections. Copyright and Fair Use are all handled under Maine Memory Network and cataloging can be done by us or by them. It is a nice partnership with technology support.
We understand the importance of collaboration but also understand that certain institutions must take responsibility for their collections.