The following sections provide, as much as is possible, impartial information about the technical process of digitising objects, which is necessary to better understand the parameters that play a role in selecting the equipment and accessories. They also draw attention to a series of aspects in the preparation for making scans. The act itself is not described, as leaflets accompanying the equipment as well as numerous books published on scanning and also on post production do this quite well. Nevertheless a selection of practical observations based on digitising projects done by members of the working group (“Practical examples of accomplished digitising projects“) as well as a small section with professional comments on scanner types (“Comments on flatbed scanners“) and selected advices out of books (“Hints by the scanner operator”) are added, as these practical reports and recommendations may help to better understand what can be done with the collection and how to approach its digitisation. Sources given in the section “Links to related websites” will allow readers to find further details on the subject.

What will not be addressed? Ideas about cataloguing, preserving, cleaning and restoring slides, labelling files and organising metadata, post production of scans, storage and management of digital assets, establishing a documentation of the work in progress, sustainability of the scans, specific methods of making digital reproduction accessibly are only included when it was necessary for the section. These fields are so complex that they should be addressed in documents specially dedicated to these subjects. (A Million Pictures prepares guidelines for slide metadata.) Besides, on the internet and the book market there is a greater number of reference books and websites available which are devoted to these questions.