Digitizing the Photo Collection

In today's high-tech information environment, the use of technology enables rare and unique materials to transcend their physical boundaries.  Photographs, films and rare books are fragile; and the deterioration process accelerates through handling, exposure to light, and climate fluctuations. Through digitization, this process can be mitigated so that archival material is not lost forever.  Digitization is expensive and time-consuming, but it provides easy and comprehensive access for researchers while preventing damage due to physical handling.

In order to keep up to date with the best current digitization practices and standards, the Museum recently wrote a Digitization Preservation Policy which can be viewed here.

The Museum houses almost two million images documenting aerospace history, including photographic prints, negatives, transparencies, and slides.  For almost a decade, one of the top priorities of the Library & Archives has been the digitization of this massive collection. To date, Museum volunteers and staff have digitized just over 145,000 images which can be viewed via the Museum’s Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/

In addition to photos, the Archive’s team in the process of digitizing 100s of rare films and videos which will be made available to the public here: http://www.youtube.com/user/sdasmarchives

Lastly, we have begun the process of digitizing and putting online many of our rare books, including important publications from Consolidated/Convair Aircraft and Ryan Aeronautical, San Diego’s two most important Aerospace companies.  These books are searchable and can be found here: http://www.archive.org/details/sandiegoairspacemuseum

To learn more about how you can help in this preservation effort or to order hi resolution copies of our digitized material, contact the Library & Archives staff.