Vatican's Library begins to Digitize 80,000 of Its Manuscripts With NASA Technology (Video)
The library is taking a giant leap to the web. By using NASA technology, it’s planning on scanning 80,000 of its manuscripts.
The technology used is called FITS, which stands for Flexible Image Transport System.
So far the process was divided in three stages. The first included scanning 8,000 of the 80,000 manuscripts. The second was the actual digitizing and lastly, the program stored all the information in high resolution.
Among those selected is the Bodmer Papyri. The priceless manuscript is the first known transcription of the Gospel. Since most of the manuscripts are extremely delicate, they can only be partially opened to avoid any damage.
Read Complete Text Summary and Watch Video Interview of Msgr. Cesare Pasini, Prefect Apostolic Vatican Library
Video runs 3:41.
Filed under: Digital Preservation, Interviews, Libraries, Profiles, Publishing, Reports

About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com. Gary is also the co-founder of infoDJ an innovation research consultancy supporting corporate product and business model teams with just-in-time fact and insight finding.