Language(s) of presentations:
Abstract:
The Nationaal Archief (National Archives of the Netherlands) has recently acquired a dedicated hyperspectral imaging instrument specifically developed for analyzing and monitoring the aging process of archival documents during storage and expositions. Gerrit de Bruin will discuss the application of this novel technique to various historic document types such as printed and manuscript records, maps, drawings, etc. He will introduce results as well as applications aiming at distinguishing inks and enhancing the visibility of faint text.
Target audience:
Managers, Conservators, Curators, Archivists.
Overall purpose and significance of session:
Techniques and methods that establish measurable, objective criteria for balancing the competing interests of document preservation and presentation are of utmost importance for the archival world. The novel quantitative hyperspectral imaging technology has a high potential to provide such criteria. In addition, it can provide a great amount of historically relevant information about documents. The goal of the proposed session is to attract attention to this technique and its applications, and to provide the attendees with the key information they require to evaluate the usefulness of the technique within their own fields of work.
Content description:
The National Archive of the Netherlands in The Hague have recently taken into service a dedicated hyperspectral imaging instrument specifically developed for analyzing archival documents and to monitor their aging process during storage and expositions. We propose a “work in progress” session about the application of this novel technique to various historic document types such as printed and manuscript records, maps, drawings, etc.. So far, excellent results have been achieved for applications aiming at distinguishing inks and enhancing the visibility of faint text. First results for long-term condition monitoring of the most important archival units kept in the National Archive fonds are expected for the beginning of 2008. The session includes two presentations. The first presentation gives a general introduction to the hyperspectral imaging technique and its many applications in the field of historic documents analysis. The second presentation concentrates on the specific applications explored at the National Archive, discussing practical experiences about the workflow and analysis results obtained for several cases.
I wish to extend a warm invitation to all archivists and information professionals to the 16th ICA Congress in Kuala Lumpur from 21- 27 July 2008.