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Grand Rapids Public Library laser and digital images collection

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 227

Scope and Contents

This collection contains reproductions of images added to the library's holdings in the 1990s. The images were made using color laser photocopy technology. Also included are images digitized by scanning, and then output to plain paper, using laser, and by exception, dot matrix printing. These types of reproductions are currently being kept separate from the photographic print collections, due to the different archival housing requirements of the photographic processes, but also to monitor the longevity of images produced on plain paper.

Not included here are those photographic prints made in the department using a Fuji Pictograph printer, or the Kodak thermal photo printer. Those higher quality digital photos on photo paper, are housed in other GRPL archival image collections.

While laser reproduction technology suggests the general time period when the reproduction was created, the image content depicted may be for any time period in Grand Rapids history. As with the Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Collection, the topics are generally limited to the geographic region of Grand Rapids, Kent County, and counties contiguous to Kent County, with occasional items of broader scope.

Photos with no known provenance or donations of only a few images for which no separate collection affiliation is appropriate, are included in this collection. The images here may be digital originals but are often copies of items existing in other GRPL Collections or still held by a donor. Several of the images in this collection are taken from postcards, rather than photographs.

Laser copy and digital print images also exist in other GRPL collection for information purposes.

Dates

  • 1837-present

Biographical / Historical

These images have been collected primarily through the copying of images loaned to the library for reproduction purposes or lasers sent as gifts to the collection. Laser images have also been made as a cost saving alternative to a full print when a printed image is desired for a new or existing negatives. Because of extensive copying and recopying of originals over the years many of the images in this collection duplicate those in other collections currently in both the library and Grand Rapids Public Museum. Generally it is not possible to tell which image is closer to the original.

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (Two boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection includes reproductions of images produced on plain paper as a laser photocopy or a digital print. The images are reproductions of material loaned to the library or held in other collections. The images are generally limited to the geographic areas of Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan.

Title
Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Public Library laser and digital images collection
Status
Completed
Author
Rebecca Mayne
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497