Herbarium digitisation program

This site will provide access to data and images in the Herbarium collections. The online database is still under development (it also is in process of adding images for the specimens), and soon, only selected collections will be available online.
The digitisation process will allow for our collections to be queried and analysed in ways not previously possible, and enables access by 'virtual visitors' unable to visit the collections in person.
The primary objective of storing and providing access to digital images of our collections is to facilitate access to the collection.
In addition to capturing label data and other information about the specimens we are also now capturing digital images of many of our specimens. Storing high quality images also has the potential to aid long-term preservation of the collection, by reducing the demand for direct handling and loans of the physical specimens. As of May 2011, the number of scanned records was 150,000.
Digitisation of herbarium material involves the process of capturing data and images and storing them in digital form. Over the past 3 years considerable progress has been made in the creation of a immages databank and now it is currently testing a quick and efficient online visualization system.
To image our dried herbarium specimens the Herbaium Mediterraneum has adopted 'BookEye 3', an A2 scanner which high-quality CCD image sensors and white LED light - clustered in a mobile light strip that follows the scan. The specimen images stored are TIFF format images of high resolution (600 pixels per inch, 216Mb). This quality of image will allow users to view original label data as well as morphological detail better than which could otherwise only be accessed by viewing the specimen itself (see Zoomfy Enterprise web site).
Images are stored internally on an archival quality server (which is mirrored for security purposes) and made accessible internally through Herbarium's image server database, or externally via this site.