ScreenScan was actually installed on a public use reader/printer here at
the University of Richmond for about a year. While the product itself works
well, it was a dubious decision to retrofit new equipment onto 10-15 yr.
old machines (it was installed here on a liquid toner machine - does anyone
still remember those?!) In my experience the roll carrier is the most
troublesome part of reader/printers as far as repair, and ScreenScan simply
improves the printing, not the actual mechanics of the machine. If you have
good equipment and are mostly interested in more functionality SceenScan
might help. But if you are trying to coax another few years out of
equipment that actually needs replacement, it is a short term solution. In
my opinion SreenScan is better suited to a office situation (perhaps ILL?)
where you need some of the added features. Our student population is doing
simple copying, mostly of newspapers, and need something durable, not
fancy. Our administration finally replaced the liquid toner machines with
Minolta 605's and everyone is much happier. Please feel free to contact me
directly if you want additional information.

Jean Lenville, Serials Librarian
Univ. of Richmond, VA
mailto:jlenvill@richmond.edu

At 04:06 PM 7/14/99 EDT, you wrote:
>Hello Colleagues:
>
> Has anyone used ScreenScan, a microfilm scanner that can be mounted on
>most reader/printers in order to transform mf into digital images for
>sending or storing.  I haven't been able to find any reviews or
>commentary about this product, only what they say about themselves.  I
>would appreciate any comments or opinions about how the product works, its
>cost and its effectiveness.
>
>My thanks in advance.   Jane Devine
>                        LaGuardia Community College Library
>                          <DEJLG@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>