[PADG:527] cradles for digitizing

[Liz Dube <ldube@xxxxxx>]

Colleagues,

I am seeking information about cradles for use when digitizing bound 
rare collections using a digital camera. I am very interested in hearing 
whether there are cradles you've used that you would recommend and those 
you would not recommend, and why?

We had limited funds and sought the flexibility to photograph formats 
such as maps and three dimensional objects, in addition to books, so did 
not opt for one of the robotic book digitizing systems. We are therefore 
seeking a stand-alone cradle to accompany a recently purchased 
camera/lighting/copy stand set up. We would like the cradle to permit 
the volume to be held open as little as 90 degrees and as much as 180 
degrees. Additional qualities that are important to us are that it be: 
easy to use, gentle on the volume, accommodating of different types of 
bindings, and able to facilitate high quality image capture. I realize 
we may be asking for a lot!

I have seen brief demonstrations of several cradles, but have not been 
able to gain a good sense of their functionality from the 
demonstrations. I have also made much use of the wonderful listing of 
book scanners and cradles compiled by Harvard Libraries 
(http://preserve.harvard.edu/resources/bookscanners_table.html), but 
would very much appreciate hearing from folks with hands on experience 
using one or more such cradles.

If you would share your challenges and successes with me directly, I 
will be happy to provide an anonymous summary for the group.

Thank you very much in advance,
liz

--
Liz Dube
Conservator
Interim Head of Preservation
University of Notre Dame Libraries
5 Reyniers Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556-5651
(574)631-4643