Technology Proposal:
Scanner Hardware and Software
Bonnie Lord
MLIS 7996
Introduction
While all
libraries may have needs to scan images from time to time, there are occasions when
having access to quality images may be of upmost importance to library
patrons. The range of subjects that may
need quality images for research purposes spans from the arts to the
sciences. Some scanners may not produce
quality images, but planar and overhead scanners have been improving throughout
the years to allow for high-res and color images.
While investing in
a quality scanner and the programs to be used by patrons and staff for image
enhancement or photo editing may be costly, it may also prove to be invaluable
to the library. Especially with the rise
of digitalized collections, having the technology located onsite may improve a
library’s collection of online images; it can also provide access to rare and
fragile collections that patrons may otherwise not see.
Literature Review
Materials and Programs:
The literature on
the subject of imaging software and hardware in libraries suggests that
scanners (Alpi, 2016) and DSLR cameras (Zhou, 2016) should be made
available. The disadvantage of using
cameras as opposed to scanners is that a studio range for shooting images with
the least amount of outside interference would also be necessary, especially
for oversized objects or images (Zhou, 2016).
This could put a strain on a library that may not have space to dedicate
for digitalizing content.
There are two
types of scanners to be considered for the library: planar and overhead. Planar scanners are inexpensive and can be
small enough to fit on a desk. However,
the images must be scanned face-down which could have a negative impact on
books. Overhead scanners are more
expensive but take the image from above which allows for books to be imaged
face-up (Driscolli, 2006).
Programs such as
Adobe Acrobat can be used to OCR text content of scanned images. ProPhoto RGB and Adobe RGB are two other
programs suggested by Zhou (2016) for correcting color inconsistencies and “color
banding” in images that occur due to lighting differences or posterization.
Libraries with Self-Service Scanners:
While the library
staff can find plenty of uses for scanners on their own, many libraries have
also made scanners available for library users.
LibGuides can be made to help students familiarize themselves with the
technology. An example of an academic
library with scanners for self-service is the MIT library. MIT (MIT Libraries, n.d.) created a LibGuide
that covered the following subjects for scanner use:
·
Locations of scanners;
·
Capabilities of scanners; and
·
Limitations of scanners.
According to the
LibGuide, any scanning projects or other digitalization projects which may be
too complicated for a student or individual can be completed by the library
staff for a fee.
Public libraries
may also have self-service scanners available.
An example of a public library that has already implemented self-service
scanners is the New York Public Library.
Despite being “self-service”, library materials have to be approved by
the staff before being scanned. This
helps protect any materials that may be fragile from becoming damaged. The library also supplies CDROMS and USB
Drives for a fee for scanned material to be saved by the individual (The New
York Public Library, 2016).
Application
Usefulness to patrons:
In particular, the
sciences may have need for access to color images. “Scientific disciplines are keenly aware of
the importance of color images in their work” (Alpi, 2016). Past that, Alpi (2016) points out that any
ILL requests may be improved for the patron.
Many articles may have color images, especially for subjects such as
anatomy, biology, or art history, and having scanners that can produce
high-quality, color images can improve the quality of research.
Furthermore, some
patrons may not having scanning or imaging devices at home – or the computers
to transfer the images to. Creating
access to the required technology and programs at the library may entice some
individuals to visit the library more frequently in order to use these devices.
Usefulness to library staff:
Not only is it
helpful for the library users to have access to quality scanned images through
ILL, it is also useful for the library staff to be able to meet these
needs.
Furthermore,
having an onsite scanner with compatible programs for enhancing images allows
library’s to meet another goal: digital preservation. In some cases this can be outsourced. For many library’s, this may be
sufficient. However, Zhou (2016) voices
the concern of fragile materials that may need to be scanned for digital
preservation. With fragile materials,
trained library staff may be more comfortable scanning it onsite as opposed to
outsourcing it to a company or individuals who have not been trained to handle
delicate materials. Zhou (2016) also
argues that while scanners, especially overhead scanners, can be useful for the
library, having a DSLR camera available would be beneficial for archives or
libraries who have a higher number of images as opposed to documents to
digitally preserve.
Challenges and Issues
Challenges and
issues that arise out of introducing scanning technology and image enhancement
or editing programs into libraries include budgeting for technology, training
library staff, and in some cases space requirements.
In particular,
overhead scanners appear to be costly, especially when compared to the planar
alternative. However, with a high volume
of documents, books, and images to be digitalized, the overhead scanner does
provide better options for fragile materials.
Programs may also drive the budget up.
Some, such as Adobe Acrobat which allows for OCRing text, have multiple
and can be used by library staff and patrons alike. Others, such as ProPhoto RGB, are very
specific programs and have limited use.
The next concern
for these technologies is training library staff, and possibly even patrons in
certain circumstances, to use both the hardware and the software. While patrons may not require training for
the programs if they are not working on complicated imaging projects, the staff
should be proficient in using the hardware and software in order to help
patrons if it becomes necessary.
Conclusion
In my own
experience, having the technology to scan quality images can save both time and
effort. At a law library I worked at in
the past, an attorney requested a specific journal article about shoulder
dystocia. There were images he
specifically needed, along with the content of the article. Using OCR functions on Adobe Acrobat, I was
able to supply a readable article for his research and trial exhibit. However, the images, no matter how I tried
scanning them, came out blurred and useless.
In the end, after many attempts, I had to get permission to scan the
images and enhance them using GIMP, a free photo editing program. The attorney was happy with the end results,
but it took longer to help him than it would have if I had a quality image
scanner and programs available ahead of time.
Luckily, there was time to fix the images for him; other times, there
was no time to enhance images.
As technology
becomes more and more accessible, the need for libraries to supply technology
or the means to use it becomes more prevalent.
Photocopiers have become commonplace in most libraries. Scanners are becoming commonplace, but
frequently they are not scanners equipped to deal with more than basic
documents. Investing in a quality
overhead scanner could help the library save time with large digitalization
projects, and having planar scanners available could help patrons with their
own projects. Software to enhance images
could further a librarian’s efforts in digitalizing as well, creating images of
materials that can be viewed in great detail online or through a database.
References
Alpi, K., Brown Jr., J. , Neel, J. , Grindem, C., Under, K.,
& Harper, J. (2016). Scanning technology selection impacts acceptability
and usefulness of image-rich content. Journal Of The Medical Library
Association, 104(1), 15-23.
Driscoll, L. (2006). Technology for access services. Journal
of Access Services, 4(1/2), 141.
MIT Libraries. (n.d.). Scanners - Scan, Copy, & Print -
LibGuides at MIT Libraries. Retrieved April 30, 2016, from http://libguides.mit.edu/copying
The New York Public Library. (2016). Copying and Printing
Prices. Retrieved May 01, 2016, from http://www.nypl.org/node/179517
Zhou, Y. (2016). Fulfill your digital preservation goals with
a budget studio. Information Technology & Libraries, 35(1),
26-50.
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