Earlier in 2025 we applied for a funding grant through the British Columbia Historical Federation's Centennial Legacy Fund and we're happy to report that our application was successful. While we did not receive the full amount of funding applied for, we have become very adept at stretching our dollars for maximum effect. With the $1200.00 awarded by the Centennial Legacy Fund and some fortuitous timing, Alder Grove Heritage Society was able to add to its digitization lab with the purchase of a Czur ET-MAX hi-res overhead scanner, as well as a portion of the cost of a Kodak 8mm-Super 8 Conversion Scanner. The remainder of the funding for the Kodak conversion scanner came from a separate fundraiser, which also afforded the purchase of a Kaiser Book Holder unit that we found on clearance from a firm that was closing its doors.
These scanners are a significant addition to our digitization lab as we will be able to scan oversize documents such as newspaper pages, scrapbooks, maps and documents that would not fit in a flatbed scanner or are too fragile to be placed in a flatbed scanner. We will also be able to scan the fragile books we hold in our collection, such as ledgers and minute books from the early 1900s.
The Czur ET MAX scanner has built-in page-flattening software, so we can scan books without taking them apart. The 8mm and Super 8 conversion scanner will allow old family films to be converted to a digital format, preserving the captured memories for years to come, and we've already had our first customer. He was very happy with the result.
In addition to our own items that we will be scanning, we can also offer scanning services to other organizations or individuals who would like items scanned or old 8mm/Super 8 films converted. We are also able to convert VHS and cassette tapes. All we ask for is a donation to the museum so that we can keep the doors open.