STOCKTON – Residents have easier access to historical and legal records thanks to the new ViewScan microfilm reader at Stockton Public Library.

Several community members who work on genealogy, as well as Rooks County Museum representatives, have used the equipment frequently to trace records of community members from the past. A Hansen Foundation grant helped cover the cost of the equipment.

The unique component of the ViewScan isn’t just that it “reads microfilm.” It transforms fragile, analog records into searchable, shareable digital files, while still preserving the integrity of the originals. In many ways, it acts like a time machine with a touchscreen — giving today’s communities access to yesterday’s records in a way that’s practical, efficient, and even a little magical.