Lynn Library’s New Knowledge Imaging Center
The new semester has brought upon many changes throughout campus, one being Lynn Library’s high tech scanner for all to use.
The Knowledge Imaging Center, created by the Digital Library Systems Group, is equipped with a Canon EOS DSLR camera, bright LED lighting and a touchscreen. The technology allows faculty, staff and students to scan textbooks, magazines and research material and save a copy for future reference. One of the many benefits offered by this new system is the ability to search through vast amounts of data in just seconds.
It works like this: simply approach the scanner, select the preferred language (there are many to choose from), place a textbook, magazine or document on the scanning base and tap “Scan.” The scanned material is then available to save on a USB drive, email, to the cloud or even to a mobile device, such as an iPad.
Even though the Lynn Library has a lot of eBooks, some books are still not available in a digital format, so students can scan the sections they need from a print book. Students on a tight budget may check out a reserved textbook from the library, scan the sections they need, save it and use it for future reference. Material saved as a PDF file is search-able, saving students time when reviewing their course material.
“You can use it to scan just about anything. For instance, maps or photos,” said Jared Wellman, digital resources librarian. “We are hoping to use it to make more archival material available in digital collections. We have also been using it to fill ILL requests and to scan material for professors to make available to their students through iTunes-U.”
According to Wellman, the Knowledge Imaging Center even offers an option to scan using a foot pedal for students with dense textbooks and music scores to scan.
“I love it, it is so much easier to use and [more] efficient,” said Valerie De Pauw, senior. “It has decreased the amount of time I used to [dedicate to] scanning and now I can scan very quickly and send it straight to my email.”
Scanned files may also be uploaded to iCloud, downloaded to a flash drive or even sent to a hand-held device instantly.
“I think the scanner is awesome in every aspect,” said Barbara Calixte, senior. “I needed some textbooks for class that I was not able to purchase and the scanner allowed me to get the chapters I needed at no charge.”
As textbooks continuously sell for hundreds of dollars and as most college students find themselves on a budget, having the option to scan a textbook chapter saves students hundreds of dollars each semester.
As the semester blossoms into full force, faculty, staff and students may use this high tech system to share material, download a copy of textbook material for future reference or save research substance when writing a paper. As for all those who are new to scanning, the librarians are always happy to assist. This semester, check out the new scanning system located on the first floor of the library and simplify your life, one page at a time.
