Archive for the ‘Digitization Products’ Category
Behind the Film: Creating and Maintaining Microfilm
In a recent blog post, we continued the discussion on why microfilm as a preservation media remains relevant in today’s archival and records management industries due to its long lifespan, utility for disaster recovery, image quality, and other factors. As a follow-up to this conversation, I was curious about the behind-the-scenes and wanted to discover how people preserve information on microfilm. Fortunately, there is a fully-staffed conversion service bureau just a few yards from where I sit, and I was…
Technical Support – The Third Slice of Crowley’s 360⁰ Solution
We recently wrote about one of our senior technicians, Steve Sheckels. The blog documented the highlights of his six years (and counting) with Crowley Support and his recollections upon visiting his 50th state while on the job. As a natural follow-up, this blog will shine some light on the capabilities of our entire technical support team. What many clients don’t know is that Crowley customer services don’t stop at scanning equipment and imaging services. We also offer technical support along…
Never Miss a Book with Interlibrary Loan
We received an inquiry the other day that asked, “What is Interlibrary Loan? How are your scanners compatible?” What first appeared to be a short answer became lengthy (and interesting) enough to be blogworthy. What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)? According to the American Library Association, “Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library [either via hard copy or digital file].” There are many different ILL applications including: Ariel®; Odyssey; ILLiad;…
Crowley’s Traveling Technician
On March 26th, Steve Sheckels, a Crowley field service engineer, accomplished a pretty impressive milestone: he visited his 50th United State in the course of doing business. Steve’s a talented technician and instructor and has traveled the U.S. and beyond performing scanner and imaging equipment installations, training and – happily, far less frequently – repairs. On the heels of his personal Facebook post recognizing this achievement, we asked him to pull together some of the highlights of his travels. Here’s…
Throwback: 2003 Mekel Acquisition Transports Crowley Into Manufacturing
As anyone who’s ever taken an entry-level philosophy class can tell you, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Today we must agree to disagree with the great Aristotle. At The Crowley Company, we are greater because of our parts—Crowley has become a stronger, better-rounded organization thanks to the partnerships and acquisitions we’ve accumulated over our 30+ years in the imaging industry. Today we take the time to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of a major addition to…
When 26 Doesn’t Equal 26
Don’t Let Camera Megapixels Fool You For a non- or semi-technical person, when it comes to megapixels (or pretty much anything), the common understanding is that bigger is better. But there are caveats. Aren’t there always? (Wine and chocolate come immediately to mind). The following is a brief and elementary explanation of camera resolution and what to look for when you’re purchasing a scanner as it pertains to this topic. It’s important to note that this is just one factor…
One Man. Wicks and Wilson Scanners. 26+ Million Newspaper Images
At Crowley, we love discovering great digital collections – especially when they’ve been scanned on our manufactured capture equipment. Even after more than 30 years, the idea of making images and information from the past available to records managers, archivists, researchers, students and history junkies today and in the future is exciting. When we saw this reason.tv feature on long-time Wicks and Wilson client, Tom Tryniski, and his astonishing 26 million+ newspaper images scanned, we just had to dig…
March is in Like a Lion…and Crowley Appreciates the Roar
Oscar worthy? You decide! March brings Crowley’s first professionally-produced video featuring the UScan+ Universal Film Scanner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2KkoUaHsPw Weather aside (because let’s face it, Mother Nature has worn that topic out this winter), Crowley’s month has started with a roar and we’d be quite happy if the proverbial lamb took an extended leave of absence so that the excitement can continue. Here’s what’s up: Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc. is a UScan+ Reseller True story. As of the first Monday…
Choosing the Right Book Scanning Method
Books are one of the oldest and most enduring forms of communication and keepsakes of cultural tradition. Whether they contain fiction, history, how-to guides or clerical information and whether they are kept in a library, archive, records room or other repository, books are a vital resource containing a vast array of knowledge. With the world quickly going digital and rare or fragile materials fading with time, it is a constant effort to make this knowledge available for future generations. Enter…
Is Crowley your Hidden Link? Digitizing and Genealogy.
As regards ancestry, Abraham Lincoln once said, “I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.” While we smile at the truth and wisdom of his statement, we cannot all claim the same. With the surge in genealogic interest, business, and technology, it’s safe to say that many of us do know – at least by name – our grandfathers and our grandfathers before that. Today, one can find ancestry…