Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab

The Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab, located within the historic John Rylands Library, provides specialist imaging services for the Library’s internationally renowned Special Collections. The Lab plays a central role in supporting research, teaching, conservation, and public engagement by producing high-resolution digital representations of rare and fragile materials.

With a legacy of imaging excellence dating back over 110 years, the Lab combines traditional photographic expertise with advanced imaging technologies to enhance access to cultural heritage and enable innovative scholarship. Our work contributes to the democratisation of knowledge by making previously inaccessible materials available to researchers and the public worldwide.

Core Services and Expertise:

The Imaging Lab supports a wide range of academic and heritage projects through:

• High-resolution digital photography – using industry-leading cameras and equipment to capture rare books, manuscripts, archives, visual materials, and 3D objects.

• Advanced Imaging Techniques – enabling new insights into historical materials:
– Narrowband Multispectral Imaging (MSI) – reveals erased texts, palimpsest test, underdrawings, pigment identification, and material composition.
– Photometric Stereo Imaging (PSS) – using the Selene System developed by the Factum Foundation, one of only three in the UK, to capture surface texture and fine relief detail.
– 3D Photogrammetry – for creating accurate digital models of artefacts.
– 3D Structured Light Scanning – for high-resolution surface mapping and digital preservation.

Team Expertise:

The Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab is led by a team of experienced imaging specialists with deep expertise in heritage photography, digital preservation, and advanced imaging technologies. The team brings together skills in:
• Conservation-aware imaging of rare and fragile materials.
• Technical imaging workflows including multispectral analysis and 3D modelling.
• Digital asset management and long-term preservation.
• Collaborative research support across disciplines.

Lab staff contribute to national and international heritage imaging initiatives and are active in professional networks focused on cultural heritage digitisation and digital scholarship.

Research and Collaboration:

The Imaging Lab works closely with researchers across disciplines, supporting all manner of projects across manuscript studies, conservation science, archaeology, and digital humanities. Our team is actively involved in Digital Scholarship initiatives, contributing to the development of new methodologies and tools for heritage research.

Access and Support:

• Image Requests – Researchers can request digital images of Special Collections materials for study or publication.
• Academic Support – University of Manchester staff can access tailored imaging services to support research and teaching.
• Copyright and Permissions – Guidance is available for the use of images in publications and exhibitions.