MAKATI CITY, Philippines – The Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) of Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), formally unveiled their newly acquired Atiz BookDrive Mark II scanner on March 15, 2023.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the equipment upgrade. It was attended by AFI’s Director of Arts and Culture, Ms. Mariles L. Gustilo, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Director of Finance, Ms. Rosalie A. Dimaano, Senior Director of Corporate Resources, Mr. Andrian B. Villanueva, and Senior Director of Social Development, Joanna O. Duarte.

The new scanner enhances FHL’s digitization initiatives. More efficiently than before, it processes historically and culturally significant materials uploaded to Filipiniana Online, a free digital repository of Filipiniana books, serials, and images in the public domain.

It allows FHL to provide researchers with high-quality scans of rare materials on-demand at a more efficient, quicker pace. Researchers both here and abroad may request digital reproductions of books and material texts from the library collection. FHL scans and sends copies of the requested materials for a fee, keeping within the limits of copyright laws and fair use.

With its superior ergonomics, the Bookdrive Mark II makes book-handling easy over prolonged periods. The padded ‘V’ cradle adjusts to the thickness of the scanned material. It avoids damage to book spines while producing sharper and more color-accurate images.

“The BookDrive Mark II is currently Atiz’s top-of-the-line scanner for A2 books and bound documents, a huge upgrade from FHL’s previous scanner, the BookDrive DIY,” explained FHL digital archivist and collections librarian Ronie Varona.

Digital archivists at FHL, using the old scanner, were able to digitize over 500 books and 200 serials and upload them onto Filipiniana Online.

“It was only logical for us to continue our patronage to this product line,” Varona added. “The Atiz scanner is durable, reliable, and is much cheaper compared to its competitors. It also has upgraded software and hardware.” The new features enables “easier repairs, replacement of parts, and upgrades, prolonging the life of the scanner.”

FHL is open to the public from Wednesdays to Saturdays (excluding holidays), from 10AM-6PM. Walk-ins are welcome but booking an appointment is encouraged as it ensures the availability of books during the date of the visit. Appointments may be made at FHL’s booking page at www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/booking

Researchers can also browse and search FHL’s online catalog opac.filipinaslibrary.org.ph to check the availability of materials. Inquiries into FHL’s collections can be fielded by e-mailing asklibrarian@filipinaslibrary.org.ph

FHL’s Digital Archivists ready the Atiz BookDrive Mark II its unveiling.

The BookDrive II is Atiz’s top of the line scanner for A2 books and documents. It will allow FHL to more efficiently digitize their collections and accommodate digitization requests from researchers.

FHL Digital Archivist Ronie Varona explains the features of the BookDrive II to FHL Head  John Labella, AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva, AFI Director of Arts and Culture, Mariles Gustilo, AFI Senior Director of Social Development Joanna Duarte, and AFI Chief Financial Officer and Senior Director of Finance Rosalie A. Dimaano.

FHL’s Digital Archivists, Andre Angeles (left) and Ronie Varona (right), explain the features of the Atiz BookDrive II.

FHL Digital Archivist Andre Angeles explains the features of the Atiz BookDrive II to AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva, AFI Director of Arts and Culture, Mariles Gustilo, and AFI Chief Financial Officer and Senior Director of Finance Rosalie A. Dimaano.

FHL Digital Archivist Andre Angeles explains the features of the Atiz BookDrive II.

FHL Digital Archivist Andre Angeles demonstrates how the Atiz BookDrive II can scan rare and old books without damaging the spine or pages.

FHL Digital Archivist Andre Angeles demonstrates how the Atiz BookDrive II can scan rare and old books without damaging the spine or pages.

The Atiz BookDrive II is a top-of-the-line scanner capable of digitizing books and documents to produce sharper and more color accurate images.

FHL Digital Archivist Ronie Varona shows off the sharper and more color accurate images produced by  the Atiz BookDrive II.

FHL Digital Achivist Andre Angeles demonstrates how to use the Atiz BookDrive II to AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva.

Under the watchful eye of FHL Digital Archivist Andre Angeles, AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva tries out the Atiz BookDrive II for himself.

Flanked by AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva and FHL Digital Archivist Andre Angeles, AFI Director of Arts and Culture, Mariles Gustilo tries out the Atiz BookDrive II for herself

From left to right: AFI Chief Financial Officer and Senior Director of Finance Rosalie A. Dimaano, AFI Senior Director of Social Development Joanna Duarte, FHL Head John Labella, AFI Director of Arts and Culture, Mariles Gustilo, and AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva.

From left to right: AFI Chief Financial Officer and Senior Director of Finance Rosalie A. Dimaano, AFI Senior Director of Social Development Joanna Duarte, FHL Head John Labella, AFI Director of Arts and Culture, Mariles Gustilo, and AFI Senior Director of Corporate Resources Andrian Villanueva.