The Library wanted to digitize an important manuscript collection in its entirety, the papers of George Washington. By duplicating and scanning a new print master, made from the 1960 master microfilm, Preservation Resources assisted in the preservation of the fragile and valuable collection for future generations.
Researchers now have access to the collection via images on the web.
Custom scanning and cropping shows only the manuscript items. By converting pre-existing transcriptions of parts of the manuscript collection to electronic form and linking the text to the images, the Library was able to provide expanded access to the collection. The Papers of George Washington at the Library of Congress are among the most important and valuable collections held by the Library. The paper originals are often fragile, with bleedthrough, faded text, and annotations, characteristics which the digital technology has mitigated. The digital images now appear on the web where the Library can provide increased public access to the collection while further ensuring the safety and preservation of this national historical collection.