LANCASTER COUNTY ASSESSOR-REGISTER OF DEEDS | NEBRASKA
“Researchers can search for all records from our existing system and if the record is older than 1987, they are presented with instructions on how to find the information in Digital ReeL. All of this is completed from a computer, removing any physical microfilm from the retrieval process.”
– Scott Gaines | Chief Deputy
OVERVIEW
Lancaster County is essentially paperless, having digitally converted public records from 1987-present. The County leverages Tyler Eagle’s software system to enable researchers to access these records. However, the County was never able to find the budget to digitally convert the infrequently accessed records older than 1987 that resided on microfilm.
Scott Gaines, Chief Deputy, Lancaster County Nebraska, states “Digital ReeL was by far the most affordable solution we looked at to bring this legacy microfilm archive into the digital age. Researchers can search for all records from our existing system and if the record is older than 1987, they are presented with instructions on how to find the information in Digital ReeL.”
CHALLENGES
- Legacy microfilm archive resulting in slow record retrieval times
- Too much staff time spent on helping individuals find records as well as maintaining the physical microfilm archive
BMI PRODUCTS & SERVICES
- Approximately 850 microfilm rolls scanned and digitally converted at BMI’s facility
- Digital ReeL available online from County web-site
BENEFITS
- Number of faxed requests for information nearly eliminated
- Citizens needing access to records no longer require Lancaster staff to fetch records on their behalf
- Ink, paper and other peripheral costs down to nearly zero
- Eliminated man hour requirements to organize physical film