Understanding the different kinds of book scanning
Whether you’re a business looking to create a digital archive of your records and accounts, or an organisation such as a university or library looking to preserve vital documents, Microform provides a dedicated book scanning service.
With decades of collective experience under our belts, we have worked with organisations throughout both Yorkshire and the UK to safeguard important books, magazines, newspapers, and diaries from everyday accidents and disasters.
What is book scanning?
Put simply, book scanning is the process of photographing or scanning entire books so that they are digitally preserved for archiving and future reference.
Generally, there are two different types of book scanning; non-destructive book scanning, and destructive book scanning.
Non-destructive book scanning
If an organisation wishes to digitise its books while at the same time retain them for further use, non-destructive book scanning is likely to be the best option.
Each of our expert scanners are trained and experienced in handling even the most delicate and sensitive documents, and when combined with our controlled environment, you can rest assured that any books will be handled with extreme care.
What’s more, our high-tech scanners provide enhancement and optimisation features that provide advanced clarity and quality for even some of the most faded pages.
Destructive book scanning
For organisations that do not wish to retain their original books, destructive book scanning can offer a higher level of image quality.
The process of destructive book scanning involves freeing pages from the binding of the book so that we can scan individual pages.
Due to the fact that the pages can be placed flatly on a scanner, it means that a more intricate method of scanning is produced.
What happens after book scanning has taken place?
Once that the pages have been scanned, a vigorous quality check then takes place to ensure that every single page has been documented to the highest possible standards.
Quite often it is the case that we deal with old and faded pages, which means that certain passages can be hard to read.
To combat this, Microform offers a professional repair service for digital images so that vital parts of pages or source materials are not lost.
Once that checks are complete, and sign-off has been given by the client, the images are then delivered and can be provided in a variety of file options, including:
iBooks
Microsoft Word
PDF
Searchable PDF
HTML
JPG
TIFF
What happens to the books after scanning?
Microform provides a variety of options for books once that the scanning process has taken place:
Books can be archived within our secure storage facilities.
They can be returned back to the client.
Or alternatively, the books can be shredded and recycled.
In the latter case, Microform provides secure shredding and recycling services to ensure that no molecule of information is left behind.
Can Microform scan confidential books?
Yes, in fact up to 80% of the materials that pass through our doors are completely confidential, which means that we adhere to a range of best practices and standards.
What’s more, each and every one of our staff members are contractually obliged to sign confidentiality agreements before every project, which means that we can ensure the tightest possible controls.
Can private collections undergo scanning?
Although the vast majority of book scanning projects are from businesses and institutions, we welcome the opportunity to scan private collections of books, magazines, comics, newspapers, and diaries.
Find out more about our book scanning services
If you want to know more about Microform’s book scanning services, or would like to speak with a member of the team, check out our contact page or call us on 0330 053 6300.