September 2023 Newsletter – Historical Scanning and Archive
In 1971, Michael S. Hart launched Project Gutenberg and digitized the U.S. Declaration of Independence, becoming the first eBook in the world. Today most printed books come out with a digital version at the same time. In a time where new technology is constantly growing it’s important not to forget the past and digitalization allows us to do that. With the technology that exists today, historical documents can be available at your fingertips. The U.S. Declaration of Independence is available to read on numerous websites and apps and translated in various languages. Without scanning and archiving historical documents, these documents will deteriorate over time and be lost.
The Importance of Scanning
To be able to digitize a historical document or any document, it must first be scanned. Any scanner can scan a document but the right scanner and scanning process is what preserves digital documents properly. Investing in the right scanner for the type of documents you plan to scan is vital. At Graphic Imaging Services, we use and sell a variety of scanners. We understand the importance of using the correct equipment for the job and no two projects are the same. We scan each page using the best equipment and software for the project. Care is taken to ensure accuracy, quality, resolution, and lighting. When a document is scanned properly and with the right equipment and care many options and features become available. Documents can be studied in detail with features like zooming in and out and printing ability. The document can be made searchable through the optical character recognition process (OCR). OCR is how information is digitized. OCR is done with software that optically recognizes text on a document and makes it searchable.
In an increasingly digital world, analog access to collections and archives is still the norm but the transition to digital collections is ongoing. Documents have to be scanned and archived with care to ensure accuracy and this process when done with care and precision, takes time.
The Importance of Metadata
What is Metadata? Metadata is the information the computer uses to organize your files and helps you to search quickly and easily between documents. Once metadata is inserted into the digital documents, you will be able to search for any part of the document you want; whether it’s text on the page or a more generalized author, or date, or subject that multiple documents would be associated with. Blueprints and drawings can also be organized by being indexed by certain fields that a database is created for. All types of documents can be digitized and archived from historical records, financial statements, medical files and blueprints and drawings. At Graphic Imaging Services, we work hard to digitize your documents so you have peace of mind when it comes to your documents and records.
With over 27 years of experience we have worked on thousands of projects with thousands of clients in both private and public sectors. Most recently we got the Nevada State Library, Archives & Public Records setup with great scanning equipment to scan and digitize their analog records. If you would like a consultation regarding your scanning and digitizing needs do not hesitate to contact Graphic Imaging Services, Inc. and let us help you get you started on your digital journey.
