Projects and Services | Duke University Libraries

glass plate negative, portraits of people and a dog — Untitled glass plate negative from the Hugh Mangum Photographs digital collection

The Digital Production Center opened its doors in 2005 with one Epson flatbed scanner and one Better Light digital scanning back camera. Over the years we have expanded our equipment and expertise in order to digitize a wider variety of formats that include still image, audio, and video.

The Digital Production Center partners with staff throughout Duke University Libraries and the Duke community through a number of projects, initiatives, and services. If you are interested in requesting materials to be digitized from the Rubenstein Library collections, or have questions about digital collections in general either submit a scanning request or contact the library.

"Theatrum orbis terrarum." from the David M. Rubenstein Library Rare Books & Manuscripts digital collection

Digital Collections

The Duke University Libraries Digital Collections Program builds distinctive Digital Collections that provide access to Duke’s unique library and archival materials for teaching, learning, and research at Duke and worldwide.

Learn more about Teaching With Digital Collections. We contribute collaboratively to regional, national, and international initiatives that benefit Duke and the larger research community.

Preliminary Plans of Chapel: Basement; First Floor Plans, undated, of Duke University Chapel from the Facilities Management Department records, 1925-2014. — Preliminary Plans of Chapel: Basement; First Floor Plans, undated. From the Facilities Management Department records.

Rubenstein Library Patron Requests

Facilitated by the Rubenstein Libraries Research Services team, the Digital Production Center fulfills requests from researchers, faculty members, and the general public to digitize materials from the Rubenstein Library. When possible, these patron requests are incorporated into the Duke Digital Repository as digital collections for online access. Visit our Scanning and Digitization page to submit a request.

Learn about our patron request workflow on the Duke University Libraries YouTube channel.

Bird engraving ca. 1630â1649 by Marie Briot. From the Lisa Unger Baskin collection. — "Suite de quinze estampes représentant des oiseaux" by Marie Briot. From the "500 Years of Women's Work: The Lisa Unger Baskin Collection" online exhibit.

Exhibits

The DPC creates digital files that the Exhibition Services department uses for display in Duke University Libraries’ Current Exhibits. This work is funded by the library and managed by the Duke University Libraries Exhibits Coordinator.

staff member using an otari reel to reel tape deck — Otari MX-5050 Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck

Preservation Requests

As a part of Duke University Libraries’ preservation strategy, the DPC reformats materials that are endangered due to material degradation or media obsolescence. Preservation digitization is supported by Duke University Libraries or by campus partners.

color illustrations of South American cities — "Tomorrow thousands will GO to Buenos Aires by CLIPPER" from the Pan American World Airways Advertisements digital collection.

Grants

The DPC engages in externally funded grant projects that expand access to Duke University Libraries collections and enrich our digital offerings in the Duke Digital Repository.

Explore our grant-funded projects

Behind the Veil - supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Pan American World Airways Advertisements - supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Radio Haiti Archive - supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Resource of Outdoor Advertising Descriptions (ROAD) - supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National Historical Publication and Records Commission (NHPRC)

Information updated February 2025