Digitization Services

Our operating principle is to achieve consistent results of a measurable quality. We plan and perform our work in a structured and scalable way, so that our results are predictable and repeatable, and our digital collections are uniform. We analyze and develop solutions to advance a wide range of digital activities, such as repository services, digitization, data, digital preservation, and collection development.

The Center collaborates with different units, teams, and groups within the Library and University systems, as well as local, national, and international partners. 

Affiliates of the American University in Cairo (students, teachers, and library staff), as well as users from outside the university, may request digitization services for research, teaching, and other academic purposes.

Our patrons can expect to receive high-quality files of the material they request. Some charges may apply based on the amount, affiliation, and material type. Before any work begins, requesters will be provided a pricing estimate for the services.

The Digitization Center offers high-quality digitization of library collections across a wide range of formats using state-of-the-art equipment. We digitize books, maps, manuscripts, architectural drawings, photographs, artworks, 3D objects, audio, CDs, following best practices. 

Under normal circumstances, digital projects will be for access only, not preservation. However, projects may include a preservation component when continual handling could do irreparable harm to the material. 

Digitizing objectives 

The Center has defined the following objectives for digitizing of collections:

• Provide AUC users increased access to the Library’s collections, including unique or rare materials, and historic records that meet research and educational needs.
• Provide access to materials that can no longer be accessed due to format obsolescence.
• Protect original records by reducing frequent handling during reference use or reproduction through digitization. 

The Digitization Centre has a fully functioning lab with specialized scanning equipment to accommodate a wide range of materials. We currently have the following:

METIS EDS GAMMA
Overhead Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose and bound archival material.

Zeutschel OS 12002 
Overhead Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose and bound archival material.

Phase One
Overhead Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose and bound archival material.

BookEye5 V1 Professional
Overhead Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose and bound archival material.

Zeutschel OS C
Overhead Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose and bound archival material.

Colortrac Smart LF SG
Roll Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose and large archival material.

Epson Expression 12000XL
Flatbed Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose archival material.

Epson GT-20000
Flatbed Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for loose archival material.

Epson Perfection V750 Pro
Flatbed Scanner that gives high-quality images and suitable for negatives and slides.

Canon digital cameras and Lighting kits
Used for photography and 3 dimensional objects.

As a steward of the archival digital data, the Digitization Center is committed to preserving digital content of enduring value for long-term access. Digital preservation is the active maintenance of digital content over time to provide continued access, ensuring that digital information of enduring worth is available and useful. Long-term storage is only one aspect of digital preservation; it requires technologies, infrastructure, and defines workflows.

The Center implements digital preservation principles and priorities to protect the AUC’s digital assets. We work on proactive and continuous data management, which includes a variety of strategies that contribute to the long-term viability of digital information. We focus on interoperability, standards, ongoing maintenance, and continuous development. We use LIBNOVA repository infrastructure to meet digital preservation requirements and to provide access to and preservation of digitized and born-digital resources. 

What is the difference between digital preservation and digitization?
Digitization is the process of converting non-digital, analog materials into digital formats. Digital preservation is the process of monitoring and strategizing to make digital material accessible and authentic. Digital preservation approaches apply to both born digital information and digitized items. If digital information is properly maintained, continuous access is available.

What are the risks to digital information?
New software, hardware, digital storage devices, and data formats are evolving so quickly that there is always the possibility of losing access to digital information created in the past. Without digital preservation, organizations face risks to digital information such as data loss, inability to access, or outright loss.

How can digital information be preserved?
There are many different ways to preserve digital information, including text, photos, audio, and video. Some strategies to preserve digital information include:

Refreshing: transferring data to the same format. An example would be the transfer of music from an old CD-ROM to a new CD-ROM.

Migration: the conversion of data into a new format. An example is migrating a .doc file into a .pdf file.

Replication: having multiple copies of the same digital information across multiple systems. An example is having the same file on two different hard drives.

Emulation: creating the original operating environment for continual access. An example would include being able to run Windows Office 2003 on a computer running Windows 7.

Encapsulation: very similar to emulation but goes further in that the goal is to keep data and the operating system bundled together so that there is never a problem with deciphering the information.

Each strategy has both positives and negatives.  The two strategies that the American Library Association (ALA) prescribes are migration and emulation.  ALA recommends these two strategies because they seem to be the most beneficial for long-term use. The OAIS (Open Archival Information System) Reference Model states that the recommended strategy is migration.

Partnerships
The Digitization Center forms collaborations to increase public access to digital collections. When considering digital partnerships, the Center will work to develop agreements that are largely tied to the university’s core mission, vision, and values. The Center may limit the number of collaborations to facilitate effective oversight and assure project excellence. All projects, whether done in collaboration or completely by the Center, are arranged to satisfy professional digitization and description standards, undergo quality assurance review, and be continuously evaluated to ensure the best output is supplied to the user.

Consultations 
The Center team works together with colleagues at other colleges, universities, and research libraries to share best practices and create consistency among institutions. We also provide tours, consulting, professional training to clients on their own digitization and metadata projects.