On Monday, July 13th, team members from the Canadian Irish Migration Preservation Network (CIMPN) ventured out to McGill University for an immersive, hands-on workshop at the McGill University Library’s digitization lab. Led by Greg Houston, the library’s Digitization & New Media administrator, the session provided the team with an invaluable look at the modern technologies powering historical preservation.

Greg walked everyone through the specialized hardware and software used to digitize rare and fragile documents. The team was introduced to top-of-the-line scanners and cameras designed specifically to safely capture high-resolution images of historical materials without damaging their physical form. Beyond the equipment, they also explored professional photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop, which is utilized to restore legibility, correct lighting, and ensure that the final digital files are true, high-quality representations of the original artifacts or photos.

The knowledge gained during this workshop will directly enhance CIMPN’s research and preservation initiatives. The CIMPN would like to extend our warmest thanks to Greg and McGill University for sharing their expertise, welcoming us into their workspace, and inspiring the next steps in our journey to keep historical research accessible.