Microfilm and Digitization Services

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History offers microfilm and document digitization as well as and security microfilm vault storage for permanent/historical state and local government records. The Department also provides microfilming guidance to state agencies and local governments through technical publications.

Microfilm Digitization

Using a Mekel Mach 10 microfilm scanner, the SCDAH Digitization Lab is able to create high quality digital images from both 16mm and 35mm film.  Up to 1000 feet of film can be scanned in at a rate of approximately 5 min per 100 feet.  The raw scans are then opened in a processing program that can improve readability and accessibility through a variety of different settings.  Depending on what is required by each patron, SCDAH can produce Tiff, JPEG, and PDF copies with varying levels of indexing.  The cost is $60 to digitize a roll of film.

Document Digitization

SCDAH Digitization Lab has multiple specialty scanners that have the ability to create digital copies of documents of all types, including standard sized, oversized, maps, and books/volumes.  Unbound documents of almost any size can be captured on our regular sized flatbed scanner (12 x 17 in) or our oversized flatbed SMA Versascan 3650 scanner (36 x 50 in).  Bound volumes can be scanned on our specialty SMA Scan Master book scanner (36 x 25 in) that cradles the spine and protects the binding of the material.

Microfilm Vault Storage

SCDAH provides free storage for master copy microfilm to South Carolina state agencies and local governments for their historical/permanent records.  Properly processed original microfilm negatives of records with a retention schedule of 50 years plus is eligible for storage in our environmentally-controlled microfilm vault.  The film will be documented and entered into a database for easy identification and retrieval.

Publications, in the form of Information Leaflets, provide additional guidance on microfilm concerns, from legal requirements to preservation. 

For further information about the microfilm services offered by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, contact Bryan Collars, 803-896-4808.