Our work in Imaging Services

How we work
 

Photographer Nick Cistone looks at an open rare book under a lamp

Nick Cistone, Studio Manager and Chief Photographer, processing a small order. (Image © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)

The imaging work of ‘taking pictures’ of the Bodleian Libraries special collections, leaf by leaf, is at the core of what the Imaging Studio do. But we are only part of the story. The videos below show how this work fits in to the final product being available to all on Digital Bodleian. 

Who we work with

Some of our work is with funders and other agencies who are targeting specific areas of study and some is led by the curators. We work with colleges and departments within the University of Oxford as well as doing work for places such as the History of Science Museum in Oxford. 

We digitise maps to palm leaf fragments, books to letters, gold leaf to inscribed parchment and objects. Anything from the First Folio of Shakespeare’s works (Arch. G c.7) to an Oxford University Association Football Club minute record book, 1871 to 1883 (MS. 22360/1).

Occasionally we have the opportunity to get out of the studio to record the exhibitions and public engagement events organised by teams at the Bodleian Libraries.

Past projects

Below are just some of the projects undertaken by the Imaging Services team.

Giorgio Garippa working on the Grazer cradle in flat mode to record a book of letters by Gerald Manly Hopkins (MS. Bridges 91 – 2). (Image © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)

Katie Ross using a light box for the digitisation of ‘nitrate’ negatives from one of the Africa and Commonwealth collections, as part of a project working with Conservation and Phillip Roberts, The Bern and Ronny Schwartz Curator of Photography. The nitrates, which are potentially flammable, were delivered to the studio each day by one of the Conservation team, in a cold box to maintain the cool temperature. They were then returned to the cold room each night. (Image © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)

 

Two people examine a floor map while another man sits at a computer

A team effort, Nick Emm, David Belcher and Giorgio Garippa, to image a large faded map on the floor of the studio. (Image © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)

 

New ventures in digital imaging and research: ARCHiOx

 

archiox selene web

John Barrett, Imaging Specialist for ARCHiOx and the prototype ‘Selene’ used for recording the low relief items. (Image © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford)

In 2022 we began the first phase of the ARCHiOx (Analysis and Recording of Cultural Heritage in Oxford) initiative to develop new 'technology' for the recording of low-relief items in 'three' dimensions and the analysis of these outputs. In only 12 months, the Bodleian Libraries and the Factum Foundation established a highly effective partnership that enabled us to quickly develop new approaches to the imaging of collections held by the Libraries. This activity has had profound impacts for library staff and for researchers within and beyond Oxford, and garnered significant national press interest.

The Bodleian Libraries and Factum Foundation are deeply grateful for the support that Helen Hamlyn Trust provided for phase one of the initiative.

Recordings and press releases

Read our press release about the project: The ARCHiOx Project: Seeing the Unseen in Bodleian Collections

Read blogposts from our The Conveyor blog:

Watch a video of a session exploring some of the project's findings: ARCHiOX – Seeing the Unseen in Bodleian Collections

Press coverage