Digital Photography for Dummies

[Warspite]

You could always try a jerry-rigged apparatus; use two stacks of books, with cardboard running between them like a bridge. Cut a hole in the board through which the camera lens could poke, and photographe documents that way (making sure not to use flash!!).

Contrary to what that Angels & Demons movie would lead you to believe, no public archives in the world lets us smuggle in stacks of books, or organize our workspace that way 

Then lash some sticks together to form a rudimentary crane off of which to hang your camera. Good God man must I think of everything.