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OCLC’s Reel Deal on Microfilm Digitization

Through August 31, 2009, the OCLC Preservation Service Center is offering your institution the opportunity to digitize your microfilm for a flat per-reel fee.

This offer includes both bitonal and gray-scale digital output at prices that range from just $135 to $180 per reel, regardless of reel length.

Contact Anita Holland, Digital Services Consultant, at hollanda@oclc.org or 1-866-956-1393 for more information.

Eligible materials and costs

Reel of bound material (newspapers, books, magazines):

  • Auto-split to 1 page per TIFF, if applicable
  • Flat price per reel (700 frames or 1400 pages, average)

Bitonal Capture

$135.00/reel

Grayscale Capture

$160.00/reel


Reel of loose-leaf material (letters, clips,irregularly sized items):

  • No splitting of two ups (results may vary)
  • Flat price per reel (1400 pages, average)

Bitonal Capture

$155.00/reel

Grayscale Capture

$180.00/reel

Output options

Bitonal capture (1-bit, 300dpi, TIFF files)

Bitonal capture is recommended for microfilm of monographs or serials comprised primarily of text with line drawings, but little or no photographic content. This option offers one TIFF file per page.

Grayscale capture (8-bit, 400dpi, TIFF files uncompressed)

Grayscale capture is recommended for microfilm of material that contains half-tone illustrations like photos, or faded and/or handwritten text. With this option, OCLC provides one TIFF file per page.

General information about this offer

Offer applies to Polyester based 35mm or 16mm microfilm. For the costs listed:

  1. OCLC will set up reel on the scanner with ONE reduction ratio.
  2. OCLC will scan all pages, including ISEs, targets, etc.
  3. OCLC will scan bitonal or grayscale depending on client order.
  4. OCLC will scan using general rotation for the right read.
  5. OCLC will provide 2-up capture with 50+% split (post-scanning), i.e. cropping will not be exact to the page edge.
  6. OCLC will spot check 30% of the digitized output using thumbnail view, zooming in where necessary.
  7. OCLC will number the files sequentially, using the following convention.
         Example: Reel_Number/0001.tif, 0002.tif, 0003.tif
  8. OCLC will deliver files via DVD or client hard drive (please include all cables and protective packaging). Media costs are not included in flat price per reel. Shipping will be billed at cost, or client may supply UPS/FedEx account number.
  9. Orders must be received by OCLC by August 31, 2009.

For more information: