Snabbskanning

Snabbskanning, also known as rapid scanning or quick scanning, is a method used primarily in Swedish libraries and archives to efficiently process and catalog large volumes of materials. The term originates from the Swedish language, where "snabb" means "fast" or "quick," and "skanning" translates to "scanning." This technique was developed to address the challenges posed by the vast number of books, documents, and other media that needed to be digitized and made accessible to the public.

The process of snabbskanning involves scanning items at a high speed, often using automated systems to handle large batches of materials. This method prioritizes efficiency and volume over meticulous detail, allowing institutions to digitize collections more quickly. The scanned materials are then often subjected to further processing, such as optical character recognition (OCR) to convert images of text into editable and searchable formats. While snabbskanning may result in slightly lower image quality compared to more detailed scanning methods, it remains a practical solution for large-scale digitization projects.

Snabbskanning is particularly useful in preserving cultural heritage by making historical documents and books available online. It enables libraries and archives to expand their digital offerings, improve accessibility, and reduce physical wear on fragile materials. However, the method also requires careful consideration of quality control to ensure that the digitized content remains usable for research and educational purposes. Institutions employing snabbskanning often balance speed with quality by implementing post-processing steps to refine the scanned images and improve text recognition.

This approach has been widely adopted in Sweden and other countries with extensive library systems, contributing to the global effort of making knowledge more widely accessible through digital means.