Podcast Offers Behind The Scene Look Into How the Nation Preserves Its Photographs & Prints

When you think of the United States National Park Service more than likely it is some of the 397 different areas, which are part of the National Park System that come to mind and probably not scanning photographs!
Well, the NPS is very interested in pictures and ways to preserve them like digitizing them through scanning. 

There are more than 84 million acres of national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails. The NPS even keeps tabs on the White House! 

While lots of pictures have been taken by the tens of millions of visitors that frequent these locations every year, it isn't these photographs they're specifically interested. Instead, it is those with historical association to the nation's treasures they are charged as stewards. 

BruceandLety. “National Center for Preservation Technology and Training - Natchitoches.” 2006-Apr-06. http://flic.kr/p/4crLQn

In order to facilitate this preservation process the National Park Service operates the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT).

The National Park Service:Stewards of US Historic Treasures
The genesis of NCPTT began in September 1986 when the US Congress’ Office of Technology Assessment published Technologies for Prehistoric & Historic Preservation.  The assessment cited the critical need to establish a federally funded institution “as a mechanism to coordinate research, disseminate information, and provide training about new technologies for preservation.”

Lee H. Nelson Hall is now the nation’s center for preservation technology research, located in Natchitoches, LA. In addition to the library and laboratories on site, the NCPTT regularly hosts distance learning and training programs using its Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Network.

From Mortar To 3D Digital Rock Art
The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training has used technology to preserve and restore the heritage of America. The Center has awarded over $8 million in grants for research that advance the use of science and technology in historic preservation.

Browse through the NCPTT Product Catalog and you will find dozens of preservation projects whose information can be downloaded for free. They include everything from the Water Transport Characteristics of Masonry Restoration Mortars to a Workshop on 3D Digital Rock Art Documentation and Preservation.

It goes without saying, the NPS takes their preservation pretty seriously! This includes the preservation of photographs, drawings, and negatives through the process of scanning. Working with the Library of Congress, the NCPTT has archived hundreds of thousands of treasured items associated with the many different areas for which the National Park Service has responsibility and thus stewardship of its associated contents.

Digital Preservation of Documents at the Library of Congress (Podcast 20)
One of the ways the NCPTT helps to bring people and projects that are advancing the future of America’s heritage to the forefront is through its Preservation Technology Podcast. In episode #20 of these podcasts, host Kevin Ammons sat down with Kit Arrington, digital library specialist at the Library of Congress. Their engaging discussion offered insight into how the Library of Congress digitizes and shares photograph and print documents online for long-term public access.
The full audio interview and transcript is available at http://ncptt.nps.gov/kit-arrington-podcast/

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Digital Directions is sponsored by E-Z Photo Scan where making digital preservation easy is our mission. Visit E-Z Photo Scan to learn more about the possibilities for achieving your digital preservation goals. E-Z Photo Scan is also part of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance and member of its Outreach Working Group.