The Digital Library ensures the quality of its collections by performing all digitization in-house, utilizing up-to-date scanning hardware and software as well as the skills of trained staff members. Source materials of various formats (including books and other print materials, maps, slides, and related ephemera) are converted to digitally accessible resources according to Library of Congress best-practice standards to maximize quality and digital integrity of created files. All materials produced are subject to exacting review in areas including image quality, readability, and color and tonal correction as applicable. The staff participates in ongoing training activities related to the needs of current projects.

Standards:

The DL adheres to Library of Congress technical standards for the scanning, conversion, and building of digital collections.

Technologies found at the Digital Library:

• Computers

• Scanners

• Audio Conversion and Capture

• Image and Video Capture

• Software

• Data Storage
   

Computers:

• 3 workstations with Intel/Pentium 3.73 Ghz with >2.00 GB of RAM

• 4 workstations with Intel/Xeon R 2.00 Ghz with >2.00 GB of RAM

Scanners:

• 4 Epson Expression 10000 XL + transparency adaptor flatbed scanner

  • Purchase Reasoning: scanning speed and color capture

  • Project Use:  Florida Atlantic University Archives, and all future print conversion projects.

• 4 Microtek SanMaker 9800XL + transparency adaptor flatbed scanner

  • Purchase Reasoning: known for reliability, image quality, and ability to interface with multiple software

  • Project Use:  Broward Legacy, Florida Atlantic University Archives, Florida Heritage Project, Oral History collection, Yiddish Children’s Books

  • These scanners have been mostly replaced with the Epson Expression scanners

Audio Conversion and Capture:

• Tascam 122 MK II Cassette Player

  • Purchase Reasoning:  industry standard professional mastering and broadcast cassette deck

  • Project Use:  Judaica Sound Archives, Oral History Project

• Pioneer Record Turntable

  • Purchase Reasoning: high-quality LP/phono playback

  • Project Use:  Judaica Sound Archives

• KAB Phono Preamp

  • Purchase Reasoning: subsonic rumbling filtering, consistent sound quality

  • Project Use:  capturing sound recordings

• Samson C01U USB Studio Condenser

  • Purchase Reasoning:  supports a number of sampling rates, reliable, and affordable sound capture

  • Project Use:  Podcasts and Vodcasts

Image and Video Capture:

• Canon Powershot S3 IS Digital Camera

  • Project Use:  General use

• Sony Super Steady Shot Network Handycam

  • Project Use:  Podcasts and Vodcasts

Software:

• Windows XP

  • Purchase Reasoning: Florida Atlantic University standard

  • Project Use:  all projects

• Adobe Creative Suite 3

  • Purchase Reasoning: industry standard

  • Project Use:  saving, editing, and converting all image files

• Sony Sound Forge

  • Purchase Reasoning: highly flexible tool for professional quality sound-editing

  • Project Use:  Oral History Project, Podcasts and Vodcasts

• Adobe Audition

• Final Cut Express

  • Purchase Reasoning: professional importing and editing quality

  • Project Use:  Dances We Dance

• Camtasia

  • Purchase Reasoning: creates professional screen casting and high quality playback

  • Project Use:  Podcasts and Vodcasts

• Macromedia Suite

  • Purchase Reasoning: flexible implementation of web-based applications

  • Project Use:  Digital Library Website, Podcasts and Vodcasts

• Spyder 2 Pro Studio

  • Purchase Reasoning: preview, adjust, and verify color-true digital materials

  • Project Use:  each machine and scanner is calibrated often

Data Storage:

• Seagate External Hard Drive 250 GB

• Maxtor External Hard Drive 250 GB

• Western Digital External Hard Drive 500 GB