Digital Learning > Digital Possibilities
Digital Technology Expands Photo and Document Preservation and Sharing Possibilities
There are many good reasons that families and volunteers at local historical societies should learn to take advantage of digital technology for photo and document image preservation and sharing activities. A few of the benefits to be gained are highlighted here.
Preserve and Backup Your Photo and Document Images
Although many families are now using digital cameras to record important events and milestones, many family and local historical society collection images remain in paper form. These paper images are often one-of-a-kind images, and they remain at risk of complete loss from natural deterioration or unexpected damage. Once understood, digital technology provides a relatively easy and inexpensive means to duplicate and safeguard treasured images well into the future.
Low Cost
A computer and inexpensive scanner are all one needs to create sharable backup digital images from photo prints and documents. Once you have digital files of your most treasured photo and document images, you can then share the images in many creative and welcomed ways.
Expanding Range of Digital Image Services
As the internet and digital image technology have evolved, there has been a steady increase in creative ways to preserve and share photo and document images. Online digital image handling and sharing services have developed rapidly in response to the growth in digital photography. Many of these services are easily accessible, have become very easy to use, and are priced very competitively.
Ease of Use
Digital terminology and learning to use online image services can be intimidating. However, with some basic digital knowledge and the right tools, it is relatively simple to get started and build your digital skills and confidence. As confidence builds, one can become more creative in how to combine and use the tools and services available.
Future Flexibility
In addition to creating a backup of your originals, having a properly organized and easily searchable library of digital image files will allow you to share your images in ways not possible with paper-based images.
Prolong the Life of Originals
With the ability to rely more upon quality digital image duplicates for your primary image display and sharing activities, you will have a reduced need to handle the originals and expose them to the environment. This will likely allow you to store originals in an improved storage environment, extending the useful life of the originals.
