The Digital Restoration department specializes in the restoration and reproduction of sentimental photographs, documents, and books.

Digital restoration is an option often pursued for delicate and damaged heirloom photographs and documents of high sentimental value so that they may be handled and put on display. All reproduction work starts with our professional-level scanning equipment that provides greater safety for the object being scanned. The overhead scanner does not touch the object's surface and captures images using LED light. Overhead scanners also allow for the careful duplication of bound books, as the binding does not need to be pressed onto the flat surface of a conventional scanner. For items that are heavily damaged, the Digital Restoration Department can retouch areas of damage to restore the appearance of the original image. The Center digitally reproduces pieces on archival paper with archival ink and can provide a wide range of digital storage options.

The Digital Restoration Department collaborates with many other departments and often works with our paper and rare books conservators.  Sometimes delicate pieces will need to be stabilized prior to being scanned and digitally retouched. 

Original documents can then be conserved, housed in mylar, and stored in custom-built clamshell boxes. Reproductions of volumes can also be bound by the Rare Books Department, allowing audiences to safely use an exact replica without putting the original at risk.