Visit Edinburgh University Digitisation and Making Service
A chance to see how complex library items are scanned and digitised
About
This visit is to the Digitisation & Making Services (D&MS) team in its three physical locations: Photography Studio, Makerspace, AV Digitisation Studio (optional extra - very small space and up a narrow, winding staircase).The photography Studio is where the Library's heritage collections are digitised. There is a range of cameras (including the latest 150 MP Phase One Medium Format camera) and scanners, cradles etc, allowing the unit to image the Library's diverse collections, ranging from rare books, paintings and manuscripts to objects from the anatomy collections, musical instruments and archival material.
The Makerspace is a space where anyone in the University community can gain access to high-end making / creative equipment for free and for any purpose, whether that is research, projects, or printing models for board games! Incudes 3D printers / scanners, VR headsets, sewing machines, electronics stations, green screen and much more.
The AV Digitisation Studio is where heritage audio, video and film formats, primarily from the School of Scottish Studies, are digitised. There is a range of equipment including Otari reel to reel systems, Nakamichi cassette decks and most video formats (e.g. Betamax, Hi8, U-matic).
If time allows we can also provide an overview of the current project to migrate digitised material to our new Digital Collections Platform (currently in Beta).
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
22 Apr 2026
1:45pm - 3:30pm
Organiser
- Scotland South East Local Network
Registration information
Numbers are strictly limited to 20 and, after an intoduction by the manager, the party will be split into a number of small groups to tour the facilities led by the manager and assistants. The tour will be on foot and lasts around 2 hours.
The photography studio and the Makerspace are fully accessible. The AV digitisation suite (an optional part of the visit) is accessed via a spiral staircase with many steps and may not be suitable for people with walking difficulties.
More information about the Makerspace can be found at: https://www.ucreate.is.ed.ac.uk/
Information about the digitising service can be found at: https://library.ed.ac.uk/digitisation-services/cultural-heritage-digitisation-service
The digital image collection can be found at: https://images.is.ed.ac.uk/
Speakers
Mr Gavin Willshaw
Digital Collections and Making Services Manager - University of Edinburgh Library
Gavin Willshaw is the Digital Collections and Making Services Manager at the University of Edinburgh Library. He oversees the Library's Cultural Heritage Digitisation Service, its Digital Collections Platform and the uCreate Makerspace. He previously worked at the National Library of Scotland, where he managed the Mass Digitisation programme, and has held librarian roles at the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAS), and City of Edinburgh Council.
Reasons to attend
A unique opportunity to see and discuss state of the art image and object digitisation equipment as well as the University Makerspace and (with access limitations) AV digitisation. These areas are not normally open to the general public.
Programme
13:45: Arrive at Library reception for security procedures
14:00: Party divides into small groups hosted by members of the unit's team
16:00: Visit ends