Library Briefings

New color copier and scanning station

The long-standing wish of many library users to make color photocopies here has been realized, in an excellent way. The Art Collection is home to the Library's first color copier and, so far, everyone has been knocked out by the quality and capabilities of this new machine. The color accuracy and resolution of the copies are such that many walk away from it preferring the look of their new copies to the original images. The copier costs $.75 per page regardless of paper size (8 1/2 X 11", 8 1/2 X 14", or 11 X 17"), and can print in black and white as well as full color. The paper used in the machine is a curl-resistant, acid-free, 28 lb. heavy stock substantially thicker and more durable than typical photocopy paper.

The many features of this digital copier include what Art Collection Head Russ Clement describes as an "Andy Warhol Soup Can" ability to create repeating "wallpaper" pages from a single original image. Images can be enlarged to an impressive 800% of the size of the original (or reduced to 25%) and thus may be used creatively as an enlarging and editing tool. Other features include adding margins, two-page separations, frame erase, and zoom, as well as adjustments for text/photos, printed photos, and maps.

Also recently made available in the Art Collection is a 12 X 18" flat-bed scanner with a dedicated PC. Scans may be downloaded for free to your ZIP disc, CD, or floppy, or e-mailed to another PC. Scanned images may be customized and manipulated by using Adobe Photoshop software at the station. For a $.50 charge, you can also make color 8 1/2 X 11" paper prints of your scans. The dedicated PC at this scan station has also proven useful as a third place in the Art Collection to search the Library's online catalog and the Internet.

The Art Collection is located on the top floor of the Deering Library. The above tools may be used for non-Art Collection materials as well. Some library staff members have already used the new color copier for duplicating old family photographs. Try it out; you'll like it.

Thanks to Lori Arp, John Blosser, Leslie Bjorncrantz, Kim Braxton, Beth Clausen, Steve DiDomenico, Harrie Hughes, Scott Krafft, Harriet Lightman, Steve Marek, Jeannette Moss, and Claire Stewart.