Hi Karina, As for really rolled maps, we created reverse rollers. Attach about 4 feet of brown craft paper to a map tube. Put the map(s) on the paper faced down and roll the map opposite the curl. Secure the map with string and let sit for a few days to weeks depending on how tight the original curl was. This does a better job than just weighing the maps down. For very brittle and dry items, you may need to humidify them. I hope this helps. Heather Ross Penn State ________________________________ From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Karina Wilhelm <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 1:27 PM To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Digitizing maps Some people who received this message don't often get email from [log in to unmask] Learn why this is important<https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification> Hello all, I am starting to digitize large format materials. I have a camera set up with lights and a tether to the computer. The previous archivist also purchased Capture One software so I can control the camera from the computer. I’m running into a few issues. 1. I have lots of maps on semi transparent paper. I think I’ve figured out that I need a white board behind them. Does anyone have any other suggestions for photographing maps on thin paper? 2. When I turn on the lights from the four side lights, the image looks very washed out. I’m sure there are settings on the camera to correct for this but I really don’t know what they are. I know the lights are necessary for even lighting but I’m not sure how to get a good image. 3. I need weights to hold down some of the bent/rolled/folded maps. Any suggestions on what I should use? I was looking at book snake weights<https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Book-%26-Pamphlet-Preservation/Repair-Tools-%26-Supplies/Other-Tools-%26-Supplies/Book-Snake-Weight/p/51067> but I don’t know how heavy they need to be to hold some of the maps that are more curled and stubborn. Here’s a picture of my temporary setup (I didn’t have the lights fully positioned or turned on here and I’m using part of a white box for the backing for the thin map- but hey, we work with what we have!). If anyone has experience working with digitization, I could really use some advice. Thanks in advance! Karina [cid:image001.jpg@01DA867B.7F9AC600] Karina Wilhelm Archivist SHESC Center for Archaeology and Society Repository Arizona State University email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>