My last institution purchased a high quality Epson scanner to use to scan color transparencies (so that we need not pay the cost of photography again unless a work had conservation done to it) and, to a lesser extent, works on paper.  Once we had everything scanned, we could simply e-mail or burn the image to disc, depending on the size of the file requested.  We scanned at a high resolution, but it's possible to then downgrade as needed for specific requests.  

If you already have transparencies of any of the documents, I'd suggest that you scan them.  If you don't, the question would be whether it would be less damaging to have the photographs and other documents photographed, or scanned directly on the scanner.  I would expect that the photography lights would be less damaging, as they are not directly on the work, as the light from the scanner is.  Also, the size of the glass in the scanner limits what can be scanned directly.  Once photographed, then scan the transparency to use for all future requests.

Marianne Richter
Curator
The Briscoe Western Art Museum
315 E. Commerce St.
San Antonio TX   78205

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ginger Frembling
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:41 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Scanning Photos

My museum has an extensive collection of Civil War CDVs, tintypes, etc.  We often get requests from publications or other museums for scans of the items for different projects.  We were curious if there was a standard for this type of work and whether there will be extensive damage to the artifact.  Fortunately, it's not repeataive or extensive exposure to light.  Is there particular equipment that's better than others?  Opinions?

Thanks
Ginger

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