[BCMA] Large format scanner recommendations

Mon Jan 27 12:15:16 PST 2025

Hi Emma,

I've been doing some research into scanners, and it really depends on your
budget. The archival quality planetary scanners that do everything are at
least $75,000, with a few of them being quoted at $120,000. Flatbed large
format scanners are about $25,000-45,000. The bookeye we looked at was
$40,000. We quickly determined that these may not be within our price range
without a massive grant, and have stuck with a combination of smaller
scanning equipment. We have a medium format book scanner that can handle
books with pages up to 8x11, a self feed document scanner (would not
recommend), and an 8mm/Super 8 recorder.

However, the best option, although mildly inconvenient due to the setup
time and space it takes, is ultimately purchasing a good mirrorless HD
Camera with interchangeable lenses and rigging up your own scanning table. This
website <https://www.diybookscanner.org/en/intro.html> has some great DYI
options and how-to guides for book scanning frames, as well as a guide on
how to pick the best camera. I imagine most of these can be easily adjusted
to create a document table and if built properly should be adjustable for a
variety of sizes of items. Ultimately, it will be way cheaper to build your
own, probably costing under $5,000 for comparable quality from some of the
more expensive scanners. This is the set up we will be using when we
undertake our map digitization project next summer.

Please try to avoid self-feeding scanners whenever possible. We've had some
issues with ours jamming or damaging archival documents and have ceased
using it. Any wrinkle, tear, or fold has the potential of being caught in
the feed mechanism and then it becomes more damaged, no matter how
carefully you feel you've repaired it.

Hopefully this helps!
_____________________________________________________________

*Brittany Newman    **(She/Her**) *       Executive Director

Golden Museum and Archives
1302 11th Ave S, Golden BC, V0A 1H0
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Golden+%26+District+Museum/@51.2922114,-116.9631953,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5379bf96b43fc203:0x194db531bf58fa85!8m2!3d51.2922129!4d-116.9611077>
PO Box 992, Golden BC, V0A 1H0

Phone: 250 344-5169
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https://goldenbcmuseums.com/
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The Golden Museum and Archives operates on the territories of the Ktunaxa
and Secwepemc Peoples, and the chosen home of the Metis Nation Columbia
River Society. We are grateful for the privilege to work and play on this
territory.

On Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv <
listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca> wrote:

> Hi Emma,
>    I am JD Jeffery from Windermere Valley Museum in the East Kootenays.
> Until last year we had two all-in-ones, one laser mostly for printing and
> another Epson to scan up to the size of a newspaper, and a Xerox copier.
> We received some funding that allowed us to amalgamate both of our
> all-in-ones when we finally found one that met all of our requirements.  We
> ended up purchasing a 5-in-one HP OfficeJet Pro 7740; it scans up to 11 X
> 17 and makes copies that are true to the originals. The only disadvantage
> is that anything bigger, such as a map, needs to be broken up and a book is
> a challenge as the top is not removable, not allowing them to be set flat
> on the glass.
>    If you have any questions on this model I am willing to answer any
> questions you may have.
>
> JD Jeffery
> Museum Curator
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv <
> listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca> wrote:
>
>> Hi there,
>>
>> We're looking into upgrading our scanner to a large format, and I am
>> hoping to see what other museums use.
>>
>> We currently use an epson flatbed scanner that only does 8.5x11, it works
>> well for our photos. But we want to start looking at scanners that work
>> better with archival documents, maps, etc.
>>
>> I'm early into looking at scanners, so any information is appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> *Emma Wilton* (she/her)
>> Collections and Exhibits Manager
>> Sooke Region Museum and Visitor Centre
>> 250-642-6351
>>
>> *The Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre operate on the traditional
>> lands of the T'SOU-KE, **SC’IȺNEW, and ṕaaʔčiidʔatx̣** First Nations
>> who have inhabited this land since time immemorial.*
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca
>> http://lists.museum.bc.ca/listinfo.cgi/listserv-museum.bc.ca
>>
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