ACRL -- Preservation Products and Services

Many vendors in the exhibit hall at ACRL represent academic publishers, database providers, and library software providers. My goal was to identify a couple that helped in the field of preservation.

Scanners 

Scanners are the most modern preservation function, in supporting the theory that preservation equals access as well as the protection of the book or document as artifact. To scan an artifact in sufficient quality with sufficient metadata and to host it on a trusted digital platform means that the original is protected and the use of the digital copy is facilitated.

DLSG -- Digital Libraries System Group booth at ACRL 2015

Digital Libraries System Group provides "workflow scanning" for libraries to provide their patrons as well as for libraries to use for professional digital preservation. I talked to a sales rep about the Bookeye 4 V1, which is one of their most deluxe models. It scans up to 600 dpi, 33.5" x 25"and costs around $35,000. The other high end scanner that is even larger costs close to $80,000.

In both cases the physical scanner comes with workflow software that, depending on your purpose, automates setting your file specifications and saving the files and metadata. If you chose the Opus workflow software, the aim is to streamline your process and speed up your preservation workflow. DLSG also offers user-friendly software and ILL specific software.

Promotional materials provided by Image Access / Digital Libraries System Group.
A selection of scanners offered by the company.

Membership Networks

I did not expect this one. I stopped by the Lyrasis booth and discovered it is a library network with a strong emphasis on preservation.

LYRASIS's ACRL Booth #385 is open & ready to meet you! Stop by & say hi! pic.twitter.com/BFjwNYuDC2
— LYRASIS (@LYRASIS) March 26, 2015

From its website:

LYRASIS partners with member libraries, archives and museums and other cultural heritage organizations to create, access and manage information with an emphasis on digital content, while building and sustaining collaboration, enhancing operations and technology, and increasing buying power. We collaborate with members to enrich, expand, acquire, digitize, host, support, manage and share their important, and often unique, collections. 

Clearly digital preservation is a main tenent of the mission of the Lyrasis network, but it plays out in concrete ways. For example, Lyrasis has a leg of service dedicated to ArchivesSpace, creating a clear channel of cross innovation between ArchivesSpace developers and member libraries, collaborating on code enhancements and other enhanced participation in digitizing archives by using ArchivesSpace. Lyrasis also offers ArchivesSapce hosting services. In addition to the ArchivesSpace collaboration, Lyrasis also offers digitization services to libraries, museums, and archives looking to digitize their manuscripts, photographs, microfiche, maps, and large-format materials:

However, probably the coolest thing I found out about by visiting the Lyrasis booth is the classes they offer, which are available to anyone online. They are not free, though, and range in price from about $100 to $125. There are a few upcoming ones that look great:

Lyrasis promo materials courtesy of the company.