Digitising historical archives, contrary to what might be assumed, is not the same as mass scanning office documents. It is a much more complex process, as the materials to be digitised have specific formats and preservation requirements. <\/p>\n
Digitising historical archives is essential, as it enables the preservation and long-term continuity of the information they contain.<\/p>\n
A historical archive is responsible for preserving, organising, managing, describing and disseminating the documentary memory of an institution, organisation or company.<\/p>\n
It contains documentation of informational, historical and cultural value, ensuring its preservation under conditions that guarantee its integrity and transmission to future generations.<\/p>\n
In summary, historical archives are those centres responsible for managing documentary heritage.<\/p>\n
Image quality is a critical factor in the digitisation of historical archives. For this reason, the process cannot be carried out automatically, as this would result in artificial enhancement of the original document. <\/p>\n
Key factors that determine high-quality results include proper lighting in the digitisation environment and correct calibration of colour profiles in monitors and scanners.<\/p>\n
Given the historical and artistic value of archived documents, digitisation providers must apply specific procedures for handling originals. These include the use of latex gloves and masks, acid-free materials throughout the process, the absence of furniture with sharp edges in the workspace, and, above all, the use of cold-light scanners and non-drag mechanisms that do not damage documents. <\/p>\n
In addition, metadata capture requires specialised expertise, as it must comply with numerous international standards to ensure the future integration and usability of digital assets.<\/p>\n