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The Crowley Company Leader in digitization, offering scanning services, leading hardware and support services.

A world leader in a very niche industry, The Crowley Company partners with archivists, librarians, records managers and many others to ensure that yesterday's treasures (ie: Presidential papers, membership records, photo collections, original publications, etc.) and every day necessities (corporate and medical records,deeds, county records, etc.) are digitally or micrographically preserved for optimal storage, private or public access and long-term preservation.

When it comes to archival preservation, waiting can come with its own costs.Over time, historical documents, photographs...
10/19/2026

When it comes to archival preservation, waiting can come with its own costs.

Over time, historical documents, photographs, film and other archival materials can deteriorate. Older formats may become increasingly difficult to access as compatible equipment and technical expertise become less available. Frequently handled originals may also experience additional wear.

For archives and cultural heritage organizations, these challenges make preservation planning especially important.

Assessing collection conditions and identifying materials that are most vulnerable or valuable can help organizations determine where to focus their efforts and resources.

Preservation doesn't have to happen all at once. A thoughtful, prioritized approach can help protect important collections while creating opportunities for future access.

This American Archives Month, we're recognizing the importance of taking action today to keep history accessible tomorrow.

Archives preserve history, but their impact grows when people can access their collections.The Smithsonian's Archives of...
10/16/2026

Archives preserve history, but their impact grows when people can access their collections.

The Smithsonian's Archives of American Art preserves nearly 5,000 collections documenting the history of the visual arts in America. Its holdings include manuscripts, photographs, film, audio, video, and other archival materials.

To help expand access to these diverse collections, the Archives of American Art has used a combination of in-house digitization and conversion services from The Crowley Company.

The result demonstrates an important part of the archival mission: preserving valuable materials while helping researchers and the public discover the information and stories they contain.

During American Archives Month, we're proud to highlight organizations working to keep history both protected and accessible.

Archives don't preserve themselves.Behind every collection that remains protected, organized, and accessible are people ...
10/14/2026

Archives don't preserve themselves.

Behind every collection that remains protected, organized, and accessible are people who decide what needs attention, how materials should be cared for, and how those records can continue to serve researchers, students, and communities.

That work requires resources.

It means investing in skilled professionals who understand the collections in their care. It means providing appropriate storage and conservation resources for physical materials. It means having the technology and infrastructure needed to digitize vulnerable or frequently accessed collections. It also means planning how digital files will be managed and kept accessible long after capture is complete.

Advocating for archives isn't only about protecting what's stored on a shelf. It's about recognizing the value those collections continue to provide.

With the resources they need, archives can protect original materials, expand access, support research, and help new generations discover the records and stories that came before them.

This American Archives Month, we're celebrating the archivists, institutions, and organizations doing that work every day and recognizing the importance of continued investment in their mission.

Protect the collections. Support the people. Expand access.

A digital image can look perfectly fine on screen and still fall short of a project's imaging requirements.That's why ar...
10/13/2026

A digital image can look perfectly fine on screen and still fall short of a project's imaging requirements.

That's why archival digitization needs more than a visual check.

Standards and guidelines such as FADGI, ISO 19264-1, and Metamorfoze provide frameworks organizations can use to evaluate capture quality and create more consistent digitization workflows.

By considering factors such as resolution, color accuracy, tone, and consistency, archives can set measurable expectations for the digital images they're creating.

Quality shouldn't simply look right. It should be measurable, repeatable, and documented.

A digitization project shouldn't end when the scanner stops.Before capture begins, archives need to consider how origina...
10/12/2026

A digitization project shouldn't end when the scanner stops.

Before capture begins, archives need to consider how original materials will be handled, what level of image quality is required, how digital files will be organized and where those files will be stored long term.

Planning for access from the beginning helps create digital collections that remain useful to researchers, communities and future generations well beyond the initial project.

Archival digitization isn't just about today's scan. It's about making sure the information remains accessible tomorrow.

October is American Archives Month!Archives help preserve the records, photographs, documents and other materials that c...
10/09/2026

October is American Archives Month!

Archives help preserve the records, photographs, documents and other materials that connect us with our shared history.

Throughout the month, we'll be celebrating the people and organizations caring for these collections while exploring how digitization, thoughtful workflows and the right technology can help protect archival materials and expand access to the information they contain.

Join us throughout October as we celebrate archives and the important work that keeps history accessible for future generations.

Every collection carries something that cannot be recreated.It might be a photograph, a handwritten record, a reel of fi...
10/07/2026

Every collection carries something that cannot be recreated.

It might be a photograph, a handwritten record, a reel of film or a document that provides a unique account of a person, place or moment in history.

Over time, physical deterioration, obsolete formats and limited access can put that information at risk.

Digitization is one way organizations can help protect the information contained within vulnerable materials while making collections more accessible to researchers, communities and future generations.

Preservation begins with recognizing what could be lost and taking action while there's still time.

The right digitization equipment should do more than capture an image.Different collections have different needs. A frag...
10/06/2026

The right digitization equipment should do more than capture an image.

Different collections have different needs. A fragile bound volume may benefit from contactless overhead capture, while microfilm, photographs, and other archival materials can require entirely different approaches.

Choosing equipment based on the materials being captured, image-quality requirements, and workflow needs helps organizations protect originals while creating reliable digital collections.

When it comes to preservation, the right technology starts with understanding the collection.

That vinegar smell coming from an older film collection may actually be a warning sign.Cellulose acetate film can deteri...
10/05/2026

That vinegar smell coming from an older film collection may actually be a warning sign.

Cellulose acetate film can deteriorate in a process commonly called "vinegar syndrome." Over time, affected film may develop a vinegar-like odor, warp, shrink, and undergo other physical changes. According to the National Archives, the deterioration process is irreversible.

Identifying these warning signs can help organizations prioritize materials for preservation and digitization before their condition worsens.

This Preservation Month, take a closer look at what's in your collection and what may need attention.

Address

5111 Pegasus Court, Suite M
Frederick, MD
21704

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

(240) 215-0224 U.S.

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