Archivist photocopier

In response to Bobbie Carlson's query about the Archivist copier:

The Winterthur Library has had an Archivist for a number of years. It
was purchased by our librarian during a time when edge copiers were not
yet on the market, making the Archivist the only copier designed with
preservation in mind.  Her comments on the machine include the
following:

- It has poor image quality compared to other copiers

- It is difficult for readers to use.  It became a real drain on staff
  time to orient readers to the machine, and some people could never
  master its operation enough to be comfortable with it

- It is not useful for copying oversize materials

We now also have a Xerox edge copier which is available for reader use,
and the Archivist is used only by staff for photocopying rare books.  I
think it will increasingly be used only for books which cannot be opened
far enough to use the edge copier, since the edge copier gives better
image quality and can be used even for many rare volumes without damage.
It is a luxury for us now to have both, but it seems that of the two the
Xerox has greater flexibility.


the books face up, in a fairly closed position.

Hope this helps.
Maria Fredericks - Winterthur Library

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 4:50
                  Distributed: Sunday, March 24, 1991
                        Message Id: cdl-4-50-004
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