Good afternoon list members,

I've received several very interesting and informative replies (on the
Florida mail list) regarding my query of using digital cameras for reference
work. Two of the responses are included below for your information.

Take care and have a great day...

Rick

Responses received:

Hi Rick...  Maybe this is of interest to some on this list.  Check this
page to see book images created with a Kodak 280.  These images are from
the back of the oldest surviving Alachua County Commissioner's Minutes
Book.  The images go along with the transcription of the page.  The
larger images, available by clicking on the image, are as easy to read
as the actual page.
http://www.clerk-alachua-fl.org/Ancient/CommMin1/CMBX0271_A.html

Jim
Ancient Records Coordinator and Webmaster
Alachua County Clerk of the Courts Office
http://www.clerk-alachua-fl.org/index.html
Beta test of new Ancient Record Marriage and Probate Pages... Not all
images are online...
http://clkres17.co.alachua.fl.us/archive/CFDocs/anmarrsearch2.cfm
http://clkres17.co.alachua.fl.us/archive/CFDocs/anprobateent2.cfm


As an archivist and librarian, I need to make some comments
regarding digital cameras.   First, in using them in a library
or archives setting, you may encounter restrictions.   Taking
photographs of materials is the equivalent of photocopying,
and in many cases, personal papers and books will have
copyright, ownership, and use restrictions that may preclude
their photographing.   Be sure to tell the staff if you plan on
using a digital camera.

The second problem, which has been already alluded to in
the warning on the longevity of copies, is that since you are
creating a digital file, there is no permanent lasting record.
Because standards change as does software and hardware,
I truly believe that most digital photographs taken today will
not be usable within twenty-five years.   That means when your
one-year-old reaches their wedding day, you may have not have
any photographic memories of their childhood.   The electronic
digital files may be in a format or medium that is totally unrecoverable
in 2025 due to the changes in software, hardware, etc.    I would
never use digital cameras to capture information that I consider
permanent.

Dean

Dean DeBolt
University Librarian
Special Collections and West Florida Archives
John C. Pace Library
University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway

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