Book cradle
A book cradle is a device to facilitate filming , digitizing or copying of bound documents such as books or bound magazines. It consists of two independently height-adjustable elements on which the tape (with the side to be filmed or digitized facing up) is arranged so that the sides are as flat as possible. With some book cradles, the band is pressed against a glass plate. Book cradles can be moved manually or with the help of an electric motor, depending on the design. The picture is taken with a microfilm camera or a book scanner . The page is usually turned by hand after the image has been taken, but there are also devices for automatic page turning (e.g. in use with the digitization component of Google Book Search ). Simple book cradles compensate for the difference in height between the pages with foam pads . The flat surface is then created by pressing against a glass plate.
Book cradles are also used as an alternative to book stands in museums for exhibitions.