More than Meets the Eye: Specialized Imaging of Historical Collections

The library digitizes millions of pages a year, but how? Go behind the scenes to meet the people and the technology that contribute to generating these incredible images using specialized digital imaging and analysis. Start by touring the Preservation and Conservation Lab to see an overview of how materials are repaired and prepared for scholarly research, exhibition, and digitization. This team of specialists works with a variety of materials from ancient to modern eras that are part of one of academia’s largest collections. Then go behind the curtain, literally, to the Digital Imaging Studio to see the different cameras that capture digital images. These include specialized cameras such as multi-spectral and topographical photometric stereo imaging that visually enhance or capture unseen information found within our diverse and ever-growing library collections. We will see examples of palimpsest and see surface detail of manuscripts that allow for new understanding of the history of writing, printing, and the creation of art. We hope that through this exploration of critical components of making our collections available to scholars around the globe, participants will be inspired in their own research, and gain insight into how digitization can continue to support scholarship and enhance pedagogy with one of the world’s great collections of cultural heritage material.

Meet the Facilitator:
Roel Munoz manages the Digital Imaging Studio in Firestone library and oversees photography for digital projects. His background in the photojournalism field took a circuitous route to cultural heritage photography, where he currently oversees the work of nine photographers who use state of the art equipment to help democratize access to PUL’s world-class collections.

What to Expect: Mini Workshop (90 mins. total)

To request accommodations for this event, please contact the workshop or event facilitator at least 3 working days prior to the event.

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