[11171] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Vertical file scanning project
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Peter Hirsch)
Mon Mar 31 20:33:39 1997
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 11:14:59 -0600 (CST)
From: Peter Hirsch <punto@inch.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Please reply to the author, not PACS-L. Thanks, Jack
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
------------This message has been cross posted to several other lists.
Apologies for any duplication this may cause. Also, my apology in advance
if this proves to be too far off-subject for this group. Direct replies
will be most appreciated -----------------------
I am currently working on a project at The Institute of Jazz Studies. The
institute has approximately sixty vertical file drawers full of clippings
and other printed material filed in two distinct collections. One is
filed
by personal name and the other is arranged by subject heading. I have to
merge a large collection of material from another source into these
files.
It has occurred to me that, since most of the material is newsprint and
requires photocopying for the sake of preservation, it would make sense
to scan the items to preserve them digitally instead of on paper.
Presumably, OCR software could be used on most of the periodical-derived
material to make the contents more accessible to patrons of the archive.
It may prove most practical to maintain the hanging files and use the
digitized material primarily as a means of providing access or it may be
possible to store the entire collection digitally. The management of the
institute would like me to do a feasibility study and the obvious first
step is to study similar projects already attempted.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been involved with a
similar project. I am particularly concerned with finding the best method
of storing and providing access to the scanned data (CD-ROM, server,
etc).
I could also use information regarding time required for scanning and
manual inputting and fielding of data, cost of soft- and hardware, etc.
It
is a requirement that the system allow updating as new material is
entered
and I want to be certain that any format that is chosen would be capable
of this. I am just beginning my investigations, so any articles or books
that you can point out would probably be new and of use to me.
Thanks in advance,
Peter Hirsch
punto@inch.com
hirschp@andromeda.rutgers.edu
