I have used 3 Sony Cameras for capturing my library research results, using floppies, mini- cds and memory sticks. There are pros and con for any camera, but I have 3 main reasons to keep on using a camera for my genealogy searching. I have many library copies made of microfilmed records that have faded over time so I try to always take digital images of most images and then make paper of just those special ones. I may over-do things, but the very special ones I then take home and scan just to be sure I have that key piece of research. #2 relates to the one day I had access to the images of my entire 1848 family's passenger list. It was only in Ohio, but the humidity was so high that not a single printer would work in the library. Handy camera to the rescue, and fortunately I was using the camera with mini-CD so I had plenty of room for images of the entire passenger list. #3 depends on the policy of the library, but frequently I have used the camera on fragile documents when the staff would not allow then to be put on the copy machine. A tripod is useful as is a camera with a neck strap. My latest Sony P100 lacks one and I still have not found a good way to steady this camera without a tripod. You are on the right track and should be able to get help whereas 5 years ago people just stared as if to say I was crazy to ask such a non-professional question. Please do ask about the archives' policies however. Some are still working in the dark ages when it comes to using digital cameras. MHodges mhodges@mac.com