No small print

On Thursday and Friday last week the Hull History Centre was closed whilst new digital microfilm readers were being installed. During the move to the new building in 2010 we had looked into this but the costs were too high. When we revisited this earlier this year we found that technology had improved and prices had dropped significantly! 

New digital microfilm readers with touch screen in use

With 8 new ScanPro 3000 machines it wasn't simply a case of swapping the machines - we needed to close to remove the old items, re-arrange the furniture and install the new PCs and touch screen monitors and train the staff.

The new machines not only have a smaller footprint, each can read a variety of formats including microfilm, microfiche and aperture cards removing the need to swap machines. They are all networked allowing users to print from any machine whilst digital technology allows users to rotate, flip and zoom to read the smallest of text quickly and easily. 

We have also microfilmed the last three years of Hull Daily Mail and the popular Flashback series, we have updated the list of material on microfilm on the History Centre website. With the building closed we have also taken the opportunity to make a few other improvements including bringing down into the searchroom the telephone directories for Hull (from 1937) to go alongside our collection of street directories.

We have also revamped the Centre's website home page and this blog which we hope you will find interesting. We will be reviewing and adding more content to the website in the next few months so use the feedback form and let us know what you what to see.

Simon Wilson
Senior Archivist, Hull History Centre