While we are just beginning to put up manuscript and the like (see the
Pike's Cantonment material at
http://www2.plattsburgh.edu/acadvp/libinfo/library/speccoll.html), I
definitely view this as a way to preserve, not destroy, the originals. By
digitizing it we allow many people to view it without touching the
original. Also, should something (God forbid) happen to an original, at
least we have a digital copy. And, once the hardware investment is made,
the cost of digital preservation is almost entirely the labor involved.
While this is not inconsequential, it IS less than microfilming.

I know, I know, the Web and CD's aren't stable enough to be considered
'archival' but the reality is they are becoming the de facto media.

Wayne Miller
Plattsburgh State

Don Rittner writes:

> I wonder how many libraries are using some of the Web based technologies to
> provide access to their manuscripts and other rare items?  For example, I
> believe it is Laserfiche that allow you to OCR a document so that when
> posted on the Net it is entirely keyword searchable using the original
> looking document.  I know the Schenectady Public Library has done a great
> job on providing some of the early maps and manuscripts they have on the
> Net.  I know that many use plain OCR packages like Omnipage, TextBridge and
> others which do provide the text information, but these other technologies
> give you the "look and feel" as well.  And not to be beat a dead horse, but
> if institutions do use these technologies, does it encourage them to destroy
> the original since they now have a digital version that is "almost" as good?
>
> Finally, has anyone compiled a list of the web sites that do have these
> items?  Seems like it would be a good resource for those geographically
> restricted.
>
> dr