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۲ݮƵ University Library embarks on a large-scale digitization strategy

Published: 13 August 2008

Historic and unique collections will be accessible for ۲ݮƵ thanks to high-speed robotic scanner made possible through partnership with U.S.-based Kirtas Technologies and Canadian reseller, Ristech

WORLD LIBRARY & INFORMATION CONGRESS: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council, AUGUST 10-14, 2008, QUEBEC CITY, CANADA – ۲ݮƵ University Library is entering a new era in digitization this Fall, through a unique partnership with U.S.-based Kirtas Technologies and Kirtas’ Canadian reseller, Ristech.

“The technology made available by Kirtas will allow us to reveal the treasures of ۲ݮƵ Library to the world and enable sophisticated means of resource discovery,” said Janine Schmidt, Trenholme Director of Libraries at ۲ݮƵ.

The Library will use a Kirtas APT BookScan 2400RA to digitize its collections in order to support the educational needs of its students and faculty, as well as making the collections available worldwide.

While the Library was an early adopter of digitizing books – their efforts began in 1996 – until now it has never had the ability to accommodate large-scale, mass digitization of texts from its diverse rare book collections.

Among the 300,000 titles housed in Rare Books and Special Collections at ۲ݮƵ University Library are collections of art and architecture, Canadiana, history, literature, philosophy (including an outstanding David Hume Collection), travel and exploration, and the history of the book. It is a true discovery library, actively supporting the teaching, learning and research needs of ۲ݮƵ students and faculty from all disciplines, as well as the wider scholarly community.

“Universities and libraries around the world are home to millions of rare books that ۲ݮƵ to come should have access to and be able to learn from,” said Kirtas CEO and Founder Lotfi Belkhir. “۲ݮƵ University’s Rare Books and Special Collections is a great example of why Kirtas was founded. I’m delighted we’re able to support this important initiative at ۲ݮƵ.”

Once the books are digitized and processed, files will be made available worldwide through the Library’s online catalogue and books can be printed on demand through major online retailers such as Amazon.com and Lulu.com.

About ۲ݮƵ University
۲ݮƵ, Canada’s leading university, has two campuses, 11 faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 33,000 students. Since 2000, more than 800 professors have been recruited to ۲ݮƵ to share their energy, ideas and cutting-edge research. ۲ݮƵ attracts students from 160 countries around the world. Almost half of ۲ݮƵ students claim a first language other than English – including 6,000 francophones – with more than 6,200 international students making up almost 20 per cent of the student body. www.mcgill.ca

About ۲ݮƵ University Library
The Library provides the comprehensive information infrastructure necessary to sustain leading-edge teaching, learning and research activity at ۲ݮƵ University. It holds more than 6 million items in its various collections, which are located in 13 branches across ۲ݮƵ’s downtown and Macdonald campuses. Receiving over 3.5 million visits annually – or approximately 10,000 a day – and millions more visits online, it is an invaluable support system for all ۲ݮƵ students, with rich collections, comprehensive information resources, innovative services and attractive, comfortable facilities. www.mcgill.ca/library/

About Ristech
Ristech is a leading Canadian Distributor of Automated Digitization Technologies. Founded in 1995, Ristech sells and supports the technologies required to convert books, film and paper to digital images. The primary focus of Ristech is to provide mass digitization solutions to its clients. This is accomplished by offering a combination of Robotic Technologies combined with automated batch conversion software solutions and on-site technical support.

About Kirtas Technologies
Kirtas Technologies has pioneered and perfected the technology used today in quality, high-speed, nondestructive mass book digitization. The company’s revolutionary technology redefines digitization of all bound documents, delivering the gentlest handling, the highest image quality, faster and with fewer errors than any other solution in the marketplace today.

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