In a recent message, John Prime of Shreveport, Louisiana, wrote: "I am a new subscriber, and while not technically an archivist, am probably the only person at my newspaper who regularly/frequently accesses the 130-plus years of newspapers we have on microfilm in our 'morgue.' Last week, I met with our publisher, editor and several managers to convince them of the need to digitally archive the newspapers we now have A) on microfilm and B) moldering in the basement. They recognize the need to preserve these but balked at my suggestion that we secure a digital microform scanner to begin this work. They wonder whether or not some other paper might have pioneered a way to tackle this task or whether it might be "jobbed out." We also would like to have some way to search through the final scanned text, though of course I realize this would be wholly dependent on the quality of the original printed paper. I can assure you this was sometimes of good quality, but often lamentable. Any suggestions as to what course to follow would be most welcome! " Mr. Prime: I am pleased to tell you that there is an entire profession doing for their newspapers and magazines what you are charged for doing with yours, and there is an entire industry devoted to the kind of digitization you envision. The profession is called news librarianship, and it is composed of researchers and "archivers" at newspapers and magazines throughout North America and around the world. News librarians form the News Division of the Special Libraries Association that meets in conference every June. This year's meeting in Baltimore gets under way on Saturday, June 10. For further information, I suggest that you consult the SLA website (www.sla.org) and follow the links to the News Division. Of more particular interest to you might be a session on the schedule of the upcoming convention. Its title is "News Division Vendors Roundtable: Digitized Microfilm," and it will feature speakers from the following companies: NewsBank Media Services; Heritage Microfilm/NewspaperArchive.com; Olive Software; and Historical Papers, ProQuest. At least one other company, Cold North Wind, is also in this business, but will not be represented on this panel. Hope this helps, Steve Gietschier Senior Managing Editor, Research Sporting News 14500 S. Outer 40, Suite 300 Chesterfield, MO 63017 314 485-6387 [log in to unmask] "No matter what happens, someone will take it too seriously." - Dave Barry A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>