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Customer Profile ~ University of Bologna
The Study of Human Culture and MankindThe University's Department of Archeology is one of the most prestigious and important research centers in the world. Consisting of 17 laboratories, three specialized libraries, and more than 27 explorations in 12 different countries across Europe, Africa and Asia; it houses significant findings and research material.A common goal in partnership with the University's other special libraries, was to find a solution enabling the libraries to bring centuries worth of research in the form of rare, fragile bound books into the new millennium for anyone to access online. But in order to do this, the solution would need to be efficient, gentle, and offer the highest quality. Kirtas Technologies, together with their Italian channel partner Nica S.r.l., were able to provide the exact solution University representatives were looking for. The Kirtas SolutionThe University decided to purchase a Kirtas APT BookScan 2400, a book digitization system that can capture up to 2,400 pages per hour using two high-resolution cameras. The cameras capture each right and left hand page simultaneously through their precision 24-70 mm Zoom EF lenses in full color with all the details, in a fraction of a second."The APT 2400 system performance is perfectly in line with the specifications," Professor Antonio Gottarelli, director of the Multimedia Technology for Archaeology and manager of the digitization project said. "We are positively impressed by the quality of the images and by the smooth page turning system."  To ensure the smooth handling of the books, the APT 2400 is equipped with the patented SmartCradle™ Dynamic Book Handler, which continuously adjusts to keep the pages in perfect focus to compensate for the decreasing number of pages on the right side as they are turned and captured. When in the SmartCradle a book is opened only to 110 degrees to ensure gentle support for rare and fragile books while minimizing stress on the binding. This is a critical requirement for the University of Bologna."We chose the Kirtas solution primarily for the speed in data capture, but also because this machine is the only one that does not open a book up to 180 degrees," noted Professor Gottarelli. The Kirtas APT 2400 is equipped with innovative technology to also ensure the highest quality capture. The Kirtas Page Edge Sensor monitors the APT's performance, adjusts the head position as needed and monitors to ensure that only one page is lifted and turned at a time. In the rare instance that a page is missed or multiple pages are lifted, the Page Edge Sensor detects the error and allows for corrective action. Next StepsThe digitization of the library's content is going well, and the next steps are to make it available to students, scholars and research professors using a specially designed intranet application. In addition, the University hopes to also take advantage of Kirtas' Print-on-Demand program that will allow for reprints of these books and make them available for purchase on-line.There is a large and growing market for book reprints. Collectors, libraries, researchers and patrons will often buy reprints of rare books to add to their own collections. A high-quality reprint will increase the acceptance of the book. Through Kirtas' partnerships with numerous online retailers, the University will be able to make their collections, books and documents available to the world. Not only will the University's digitization efforts benefit its own students, professors and researchers, but also thousands of appreciative students from around the world. |
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The University of Bologna is recognized as one of the oldest continually operating degree-granting universities in the world, and the second largest university in Italy. Dating back to 1088 AD, it is thought to be the first university founded in the Western world, and was historically notable for its teaching of Canon and civil law.
