Technical Notes

Each original song broadside was scanned using a Microtek ScanMaker 9600 XL flatbed scanner at 600 dpi and saved in TIFF format. From the master TIFF file, two JPEG files were created for Web access: one “thumbnail” image at 480 pixels and one printable image at 300 dpi with varying original dimensions. All files reside on the Center's dedicated image server. Copies of the master image files were archived on Mitsui CD-R media and stored in a separate facility.

Catalog information for each song broadside title was entered and enhanced into the Center's in-house database using InMagic ® DB/TextWorks 8.00 software. Catalog records were transferred from InMagic ® DB/Text to MARC format using MARCTransformer software. Records were then uploaded to the OCLC/WorldCat bibliographic utility using MicroEnhancer (CATME) and OCLC Connexion software.

Routine quality control inspections were made for both digital files and cataloging records. Master image files were checked for quality by sampling 10% of the TIFF image files at 100% magnification, or 1:1 pixel ratio for compliance with digital imaging guidelines. Quality control of the enhanced catalog records and re-keyed text was checked by various project staff members using a defined checklist, the spell check option in DB/Text, and comparison of the printed copy with the original.

While transcribing the lyrics of the song broadsides, every attempt was made to maintain the spelling, capitalization, and spacing of the original document. Brackets indicate omitted text or letters.

The Broadside website was created by project staff using Macromedia Dreamweaver and InMagic ® WebPublisher PRO. Graphic banners were created in Adobe Photoshop.