Saving historical documents can be a snap with the right scanning solution

As digital technology continues to proliferate, the number of options organizations have for preserving important historical texts becomes easier to incorporate into their document management plan. With this in mind, it's no surprise that many public and private entities are now turning to document scanning to help them save their history.

For example, the Pearl River County System Library System in Mississippi recently had the opportunity to invest in a new microfilm reader and scanner so that it could more effectively save vital historical documents, thanks to a donation from a private donor and grants from the state's Library Commission, according to a report from the Pearl River Picayune Item. The devices cost the library system about $6,000 but were vital because its old microfilm machines broke years ago and were too expensive to simply repair.

Moreover, the system is necessary now because the room where the library stores microfilm is extremely humid, which degrades the material over time, the report said. The new devices can digitize documents of this type with ease, making them far easier to preserve and share as needed. As an added bonus, the new document management system that comes with the devices will allow them to become far more searchable than they are currently.

A similar effort in New York
Meanwhile, in Poughkeepsie, New York, similar efforts have been underway to recover and preserve historical documents for some time, with varying amounts of success, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. In addition to restoring historic homes and preserving land for future use, local experts are also trying to track down documents including old maps (which had been stored in a chicken coop – with live chickens – for some time) that can help the city more effectively hang on to its history and ensure future generations can do the same.

With these efforts in mind, it's important for organizations to remember just how effective document scanning can be when it comes to preservation, especially when historical information might otherwise be lost. Coming up with a comprehensive plan for document or microfilm scanning can help them avoid any potential pitfalls that might otherwise come along without a strong document management strategy.