DIOCESE OF TUCSON ARCHIVES | ARIZONA
“Working with BMI was an incredible experience. Their Digital ReeL solution provided us with the accessibility we needed while ensuring our microfilm records were preserved digitally. We couldn’t be happier with the results.”
– Ana-Elisa Arredondo | Diocesan Archivist
OVERVIEW
The Diocese of Tucson, which oversees numerous religious, administrative, and historical records, needed a solution to digitize and preserve their extensive microfilm archive. The project began in November 2022, when Ana-Elisa Arredondo, the Diocesan Archivist, reached out to BMI Imaging Systems to explore microfilm scanning solutions. After initial discussions, BMI proposed Digital ReeL, a hosted application that would allow for enhanced access and preservation of these critical records.
With over 577 rolls of microfilm, the Diocese sought not only to preserve these records digitally but also to make them easily accessible for future use. The solution would incorporate text search capabilities, image enhancement, and a secure hosting platform.
CHALLENGES
- Extensive collection of 577 rolls of microfilm
- Complex indexing requirements for diverse record types
- Funding constraints that required flexibility in payment and project execution
BMI SOLUTIONS
- Scan & convert microfilm to digital format
- Utilize BMI OLIS indexing method to simplify complex index rquirements
- Digital ReeL secure hosted platform
OUTCOMES ACHIEVED
- Secure and rapid scanning of microfilm records
- Simple organization of records using OLIS
- Streamlined access using Digital ReeL hosting