Digitization and Preservation of Information for the next Generation

From Rocks and Clays to Cyber Space

Considering the state of the world today, knowledge is becoming an even more rare and precious gift. Journeying back to the past, we note that our predecessors used whatever was available to them to scribble down bits and pieces of their lives and what they knew so that their knowledge could be preserved, their story told, and their legacy built. Back then anything from rocks, to clay tablets, parchment and papyrus, and eventually paper was used. People always sought new and improved ways of recording events and preserving the knowledge they had with the generations to come. The problem with these forms are that the are relatively fragile. Though people would locate these ancient wisdoms, over time these items would fade, become brittle, wilt, and fall apart, which ran the risk of losing this ancient knowledge and erasing history. Thanks to technology, this is no longer the crisis it once was!

...Lets go Digital!

With the process of digitization, technology is able to create a pretty much "immortal" copy of ancient and also newer works. With technology, fading pictures can be enhanced to create clearer and sharper images, and improve the overall visual quality of the items being digitized. Items for digitization are selected based on the content and on the demand for that item.

What is Digitization?

Digitization is simply the conversion of printed material into an electronic version by means of scanning it (via a scanner) so that it can be read on a device.

Items that can be digitized include, but is not limited to:-

• Printed books
• Images
• Manuscripts
• Paintings
• Prints
• 3-D Objects

Digitization has fast become a favourite way of improving the preservation of, especially, fragile originals that cannot be handled due to the poor condition it is in. It also improves access to that item as e-resources are available online. 

Benefits:

• Quick and easy access to items in high demand
• Display of materials that are otherwise inaccessible
• Allowing dispersed collections to be united
• Enhancement of images that have otherwise faded or damaged

Watch this Video to find out more about the process of digitization

"In order to know where you are going you need to know where you've been" - James Burke

With the process of digitization, this will be possible for years and years to come!