Internet Archive Livestreams Microfiche Digitization
2025-05-22
The Internet Archive is livestreaming its microfiche digitization process on YouTube, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work involved in its Democracy's Library initiative. This project aims to digitize and share millions of government records. The livestream shows operators transforming fragile microfiche cards into searchable public documents using high-resolution cameras, image stitching software, and OCR. Live scanning happens Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM PT (excluding holidays), with a second shift planned.