The PIXL Lab is a digitization space at The Mearns Centre for Learning – McPherson Library that supports high-resolution imaging for research, libraries, and archives.

The lab brings together specialized imaging equipment, a dedicated capture space, and digital workflows designed for working with visual materials. PIXL is especially suited to projects involving photographic collections, archival records, cultural heritage materials, environmental history, and visual documentation.

Our Equipment

PIXL uses a Phase One IQ4 150MP medium-format camera system for high-resolution digitization. The system features a 151-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and supports exceptionally detailed image capture.

The lab is equipped for both reflective and transmissive imaging, allowing us to capture materials ranging from prints, documents, maps, and artworks to film negatives, glass plates, slides and more.

Current Work

A.J. Campbell, 1928, Garibaldi Park Survey, BC Archives, GR-3427, AAAA0100

PIXL recently collaborated with the Royal BC Museum and the Mountain Legacy Project to begin digitizing photo-topographic glass plate negatives from the BC Archives. You can view the images here.

This project used high-resolution imaging to support access, preservation, and documentation of the glass plate collection. The digitized images will also support our ongoing research, including our preparations for the 2026 field season in Garibaldi Park.