VRC Lab

Interior of digitization lab, showing computers and scanners on desks with chairs, and a wall of shelves in the back.

Booking Space in the Lab

The VRC Lab primarily supports VRC digital collections projects. Current Humanities students, instructors, faculty, and staff are eligible to request VRC Lab appointments to use select equipment and software to digitize a wide-variety of visual materials in support of their research, course projects, and teaching. Unfortunately, the VRC cannot support Lab access for alumni or others not affiliated with the University.

Access to the VRC Lab is by appointment only. Appointments are based on equipment and staff availability, Mondays–Fridays between 9am to 4:45pm. 

To request an appointment, email us at visualresources@uchicago.edu with as much information as you can share about your project, including the items you need to digitize, their size, and quantity.

Potential Equipment for Your Project

VRC staff will evaluate your appointment request and help identify the best equipment option for your project. Please find dimensions each machine can accommodate. 

  • Epson Flatbed Scanners
    • Scanning-based digitization for 2D works that are fairly stable (drawings that won’t transfer, without attached elements) up to 12.2 in x 17.2 inches.
  • Negative Supply Film Scanner for film negatives and slides
  • Hasselblad Flextight X5 for film negatives and slides
  • Copy Stand
    • Camera-based digitization for 2D works up to 22 x 22 inches Black velvet fabric is available for a background, and a color bar can be included in photographs for quick and accurate color-correcting in Lightroom.
  • CopiBook Scanner
    • Camera-based digitization for 2D and bound materials, can digitize flat materials up to 20 x 28.3 inches for flat materials, or 25 x 17.3 inches for fragile bound materials that require the book cradle
  • DSLR photography
    • Small to medium 3D objects (such as models or craft work) can be digitized using a DSLR camera and the Copystand or the light box/portable studio

VRC Lab Software

  • Adobe Creative Cloud