1. Connect scanner via USB cable to the computer.
2. [Optional - check device is recognised] Type
lsusb
in a terminal window. You should see a line pertaining to the scanner. In my case it was:Bus 004 Device 003: ID 04a9:190f Canon, Inc.
3. Install xsane:
apt update && apt install gocr libusb-dev libsane-dev libsane-extras xsane-common xsane
4. Launch 'Users and Groups' from the Mint Menu. Select your user and click on the list of groups in the groups section. Add ticks to the boxes 'saned' and 'scanner' to add yourself to those groups.
5. You can now run XSane scanner software from the Mint Menu and it should recognise the printer. Ensure the physical plastic lock on the underside of the scanner is slid to the unlocked position before scanning otherwise you will get a blank scan and it may not be too healthy for the scanner.