Archive for 2018
Raiders of the (Not So Lost) “Ark”ives: Digitizing Religious Archives
As I was preparing for Crowley’s appearance at this week’s annual American Theological Library Association Conference (ATLA), I realized that everything I know about religious archives comes from Indiana Jones’ movies and Dan Brown novels. It’s not a fact I’m proud of since religious entities have been a prominent market for Crowley (and as the daughter of a pastor and a church secretary, I’m no stranger to the goings on of the church) but my perception of their archives mostly…
Alexander Hamilton: The Man, The Musical, The Microfilm
This Sunday, the 72nd Annual Tony Awards will recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the past season. Although it’s been two years since “Hamilton: An American Musical” stormed the stage, winning 11 of its 16 nominations, the musical continues to dominate live theatre across the world and bring attention to one of America’s well-known adopted sons and most colorful historic figures, Alexander Hamilton. This gives us the perfect chance to promote interest in the digitization and online accessibility of the Library…
What the FADGI %*#&!? Part Three: Selecting Equipment to Achieve FADGI Compliance
Part One (Understanding Basics) and Part Two (Is FADGI for Everyone?) of our FADGI blog series have laid the groundwork for this final piece of the puzzle – understanding the equipment needs for capturing images that achieve FADGI standards. I know you’ve been waiting with bated breath for Part Three, so here we are at last. To aid in my own understanding, I recruited the expertise of Crowley’s in-house technical guru on all things FADGI, Corin van de Griek. Corin…
What the FADGI %*#&!? Part Two: Is FADGI for Everyone?
Lesson from my parents: Just because it’s cool doesn’t make it right. As a teen, this advice was definitely not well-received. A few decades removed, I can more appreciate the sentiment (and also the fact that it was more likely budget-driven than about taking the moral high road). It might be a bit of a stretch, but FADGI is cool…and it also isn’t (yet) for everyone. Recap: What is FADGI? In Part One of this series, we identified FADGI as a…
What the FADGI %*#&!? (Part One: Understanding Basics)
March Madness may be the talk of the water cooler this week, but we’ve bigger fish to fry in the imaging world (subliminal Lenten reference). One of today’s hottest topics is the evolution of digital imaging standards, which is being prodded into daily conversation by the increasing push to meet FADGI – Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative – compliance. It’s simple. It’s complex. It’s confusing. It’s a work in progress. The good news is that there is increasing recognition – specifically among federal…
Olympic Lineup: New UScan+ UF-Series Offers More Options for Microfilm Reader Printer Replacements
I didn’t realize the importance I placed on the Olympics until Pyeongchang 2018 began seeping into my subconscious thoughts far beyond prime time hours. When Crowley unveiled the latest model in the UScan+ microfilm reader printer replacement scanner series, the UScan+ HD LTE, I couldn’t help but compare the new lineup to a diversely-skilled Olympic team. Each model’s specific set of features propels the team (or series) toward the podium for best value in the microfilm reader printer class. Reader printers…
Digitizing The Reporter: Archives of Akron’s Only African American Newspaper Online
Each February, Crowley highlights a digitization project that has bearing on Black History Month. Today we feature the newspaper digitization of The Reporter, which has been documenting the African American community in Akron, Ohio since 1969. Past posts discuss an 1841 edition of the Morning Star, a Freewill Baptist publication that advocated for abolition, the digitized records of The Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane and the research of tax assessment and slave records of Cecil County, Maryland. Each project, including…
It’s Been Quite A Week: Scanners, Trade Shows, Giveaways, Authors and Features
This has been one of those weeks where Monday felt like Thursday and today feels like…well…next week. It’s been a whirlwind. May I share what we’ve been up to so that you can enjoy the journey with us? Along the way you’ll find some terrific purchasing opportunities and a great read. Scanners UScan+ Universal Film Scanner Line Updated The popular UScan+ line of microfilm reader printers, winner of a 2018 Modern Library Award, has been updated with new models and…
Moving on Up: Four Questions to Ask Before Upgrading Your Mekel Scanner
As a consumer, I’m weary of constantly evolving technology. Keeping up with “state-of-the-art” is frustrating, particularly when you invest in a purchase only to find a newer model is instantly available, making your “new” technology old. This leads to significant “tech-FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out). Fortunately, if you own a Mekel Technology brand scanner I’m here to give you a little “tech-POMO” (Peace Of Mind, Obviously). During my time in the tech service department – where many of the book, document and…
From Vegas to the Kitchen Sink
We’re entering 2018 at a fast pace. I noticed this in my own work as I received replies to emails with “Happy New Year” and thinking, “Oh, right, it’s a new year….” My lack of social graces aside, I’m happy to be hitting the ground running, trying to keep up with this good company I call home. After a short and productive holiday break, The Crowley Company is full steam ahead on all fronts: manufacturing; scanner sales; and digitization services….