A planetary camera is used to microfilm records. The camera is mounted at the top of an arm seen in the center of the picture.
The Storage Areas
Microfilming and imaging
Certain records have been microfilmed and/or digitally imaged for preservation or access purposes. The Archives participated in a cooperative project with the Genealogical Society of Utah in which mutually agreed upon records were prepared by the Archives and microfilmed by the Society. These were typically records with high genealogical value such as probate and divorce case files. Once the process was completed, the Archives received a security copy of the microfilm for preservation purposes. The Archives also microfilmed certain legislative records for preservation and distribution to research facilities.
Digital imaging will become a larger part of the
process in the future. Because digital images
continue to lack characteristics for long-term
archival preservation, the primary benefit is
enhanced access. More records will be imaged for
mounting on the Archives Web site so that
researchers can access the information without
having to travel to Salem or conform to business
hours.
