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Digital Reach

About the team

The Digital Reach team at The University of Manchester Library plays a pivotal role in expanding the Library’s digital presence and impact across teaching, research, and civic engagement. The team comprises of highly skilled Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) with expertise in: 

  • Digitisation of physical special collections e.g. imaging of rare books, manuscripts, archives, visual materials and 3D objects.
  • Advanced Imaging to support researchers to interrogate the physical attributes of our collections, using non-invasive techniques e.g. Multispectral Imaging (MSI), Photometric Stereo Imaging (PSS), Photogrammetry, 3D laser scanning.
  • Collaborating with Special Collections curators to co-ordinate collections activities for Manchester Digital Collections (MDC) and Manchester Digital Exhibitions (MDE). 
  • Managing the delivery of the Library’s digital preservation service by providing technical infrastructure support for Preservica, and support for dealing with analogue media enabling digital curation and preservation.
  • Managing the delivery of the Library Imaging viewers for digital curation and public access to our collections.
  • Digitisation of library collections e.g. scanning of newspapers, pamphlets and log books.
  • Managing and delivering the Library’s archives catalogues via EMu and ELGAR enabling digital curation and preservation. 

Head of Digital Reach

The team is led by Dr. Gail Millin-Chalabi, Head of Digital Reach within the Directorate of Artificial Intelligence and Ideas Adoptions (AIIA). Her role encompasses: 

  • Developing new partnerships and digital initiatives for teaching, research, and civic engagement.
  • Establishing a library presence in the new Sister innovation district to support start-ups, spin-outs and creative innovators.
  • Leading the strategic development of the Library’s Advanced Imaging, Digitisation and Digital Preservation teams.
  • Broadening engagement with Special Collections among diverse audiences and academic disciplines—locally, nationally, and internationally—by leveraging cutting-edge digital tools. 

 

Digital Preservation and Systems Team

About the Digital Preservation and Systems Team

  • We are responsible for digital preservation in the library providing advice and practical help with obsolete media, hardware, and formats
  • We manage projects involving bulk digitisation of requested items ranging from Methodist newspapers to notebooks and photographic negatives
  • We are responsible for the library's Digital Collection (online on Luna Imaging software)
  • We are responsible for the library's Special Collections online catalogue (on the Archives Hub), and their Collection Management software (Emu)
  • We are based at the Main Library and can be contacted via uml-digitisation@manchester.ac.uk

Systems Support Analyst (Digitisation)

Ensuring the long-term safety of our digital archives by co-ordinating and delivering the Library’s digital preservation service. Implementing, maintaining and developing the Library’s digital image service Luna; its digital preservation system Preservica; its collections management system EMu. Supporting ELGAR the Library's online archive catalogue. Undertaking digitisation projects as required. Line managing the System Support Assistant (Digitisation) and ensuring their skills meet the changing requirements of the role.

Systems Assistant (Digitisation)

  • Placeholder image

    Wing Sze Cheng

    Email: wingsze.cheng@manchester.ac.uk

    Supporting the Library’s digital preservation service; helping to maintain the Library’s digital image service Luna; its digital preservation system Preservica; its collections management system EMu. Supporting ELGAR the Library's online archive catalogue. Providing statistics relating to those systems. Undertaking digitisation projects as required. Supporting the Digitisation Analyst. Providing technical support to staff and researchers.

Imaging

About the Imaging Team

The Imaging team digitise our Special Collections material using established and innovative photographic techniques to inspire and support research, learning and public engagement activities.

Anyone can request items for digitisation. For more information see the Imaging Service pages on the University of Manchester Library website.

The item(s) you are interested in may already have been digitised. Please check LUNA or MDC (Manchester Digital Collections) where images are downloadable under a Creative Commons licence.

We provide additional advanced imaging techniques for further investigation of Special Collection material. We provide RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging), Photogrammetry/3D imaging and MSI (Multispectral Imaging). Please get in touch to find out more.

You can contact us for further information for all digitisation enquiries at uml.imaging@manchester.ac.uk or speak to the team directly on +44 (0)161 306 6559

Imaging Manager

Leading innovative practice in Imaging to facilitate outstanding research, teaching and learning and public engagement with Special Collections. Supporting the use and development of Digital Special Collections, liaison with colleagues and researchers across the University.

Imaging Coordinator

Coordinating the day‑to‑day delivery of the Imaging Service, managing enquiries, scheduling and workflows to support timely digitisation of Special Collections. Assessing material across multiple sites, liaising with curators, Reader Services and researchers, and providing clear guidance throughout requests. Ensuring accurate metadata, quality control and documentation, while supporting service development through data gathering, improved processes and enhanced customer experience.

Senior Photographer

Deliver strategic digitisation using established and innovative photographic techniques to facilitate research, learning and public engagement with Special Collections.

Photographer

Deliver strategic digitisation using established photographic techniques to facilitate research, learning and public engagement with Special Collections. 

Manchester Digital Collections

About Manchester Digital Collections

Manchester Digital Collections is a new resource for exploring high-quality images of cultural collections and research projects at The University of Manchester. 

    MDC Content Co-ordinator

    Responsible for the co-ordination of collections activities around Manchester Digital Collections including leadership of cross-Directorate operational groups and liaison with colleagues and researchers across the University.  

    Digital Exhibitions Curator

    Supports the development and delivery of online exhibitions as part of the Library’s exhibitions and public engagement with research programme.