/ Case Studies Heritage Digitisation
ProQuest (Clarivate) - University of Manchester Theses Digitisation
High-volume digitisation of bound academic research material for digital access and preservation
Microform was engaged by ProQuest (Clarivate) to support the large-scale digitisation of theses held by the University of Manchester.
The project comprised the capture of 1.7 million images across a substantial academic collection, forming part of a wider programme to preserve and make research outputs accessible online.
The material consisted of bound thesis volumes, including foldouts and plates, representing a significant body of academic research across multiple disciplines.
/ The Challenge
How do you deliver a high-volume digitisation programme at scale while handling bound thesis volumes, foldouts, and plates accurately and maintaining consistent quality across 1.7 million images?
Collection complexity at scale
The project required the digitisation of a very large body of academic thesis material while preserving accuracy across complex bound content and maintaining structured delivery for platform integration.
- Large-scale digitisation of bound thesis material
- Foldouts and plates requiring careful handling and complete capture
- Consistent image quality maintained across 1.7 million images
- Structured workflows and file naming conventions maintained throughout
Controlled digitisation workflow
Microform implemented a high-throughput workflow tailored to bound academic research material, ensuring efficient delivery while protecting bindings and preserving completeness of capture.
- V-cradle capture systems used to support bound volumes and minimise stress on bindings
- Controlled handling of foldouts and plates for complete and accurate capture
- High-resolution image capture aligned to academic and preservation standards
- Structured processes maintained consistency across large volumes of material
Outputs for platform integration
The workflow ensured that complex research material could be delivered at scale while remaining suitable for integration into ProQuest's academic access platform.
- Outputs aligned to required file naming conventions and delivery specifications
- Consistent datasets prepared for platform ingestion
- Research material made more accessible for discovery and long-term preservation
- Reliable quality maintained throughout the full programme
/ Long-term benefits
Scale and consistency
Microform delivered a high-volume programme while maintaining quality throughout.
Complex content handling
Foldouts and plates were captured accurately alongside standard thesis pages.
Bound volume protection
V-cradle systems supported careful handling of academic thesis material.
Platform-ready outputs
The completed files support research, discovery, and long-term access via ProQuest.
/ Outcome
The project was successfully delivered within the required timeframe, producing a consistent and high-quality digital archive of academic theses. The digitised collection is now accessible via the ProQuest platform, supporting research, discovery, and long-term preservation of academic work.