Multispectral imaging is a digital imaging technique that adds depth to understanding cultural heritage collections. When adhering to standards and best practices it can afford a scientific analysis with commensurate integrity. The Library of Congress was one of the first institutions to implement this technology in their primary workflow as a standard for examination and preservation of its collection items. The Preservation Research and Testing Division (PRTD) has spent the past decade focusing on the development of standards and procedures for this imaging technology while also expanding its applications. Additionally, the Library of Congress has taken initiative in adapting their rigorous methodologies for practical integration of spectral imaging at other institutions. This technique expands the traditional concept of an image, while retaining the precision required for accuracy of reproducibility.