APPEAL FOR A LARGE FORMAT SCANNER

The Society is seeking support from members to acquire a larger-format scanner that will allow us to properly preserve and digitise our collection of oversized and delicate materials acquired by the library but so far not accessible to members.

At present, we only have access to a standard A4 scanner- whilst suitable for everyday documents, it is simply not adequate for the larger books, maps, photographs, and archival images in our care. Attempting to force these items onto a small scanner risk damaging spines, causing irreversible damage to fragile originals.  A larger-format scanner would allow us to capture these materials safely, accurately, and in full—preserving both their content and their condition for future generations.

With your support, we can invest in the right equipment to protect these valuable resources while making them more accessible through high-quality digital copies. The scanner would be available for use by members in the library.

Any contribution towards this goal would make a meaningful difference and help ensure that these important materials are preserved with the care they deserve.  We would prefer not to use reserves as these are earmarked to support a potential temporary relocation while our existing accommodation undergoes renovation. The costs associated with such a move—such as temporary premises, logistics, and setup—can be significant and are not yet fully predictable.

Because of this uncertainty, it is important that we retain these funds to cover any essential expenses that may arise during the transition period. Using reserves for non-essential purchases at this stage could put us in a difficult position if relocation becomes necessary.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Regards

Kim Walker

General Secretary