Memory Digitization Lab

A strip of film shows images of VHS tapes, polaroid photos, and other vintage formats

Preserve your family memories with digitization equipment

The Wright Library Memory Digitization Lab is a do-it-yourself opportunity for patrons to use special equipment to convert personal documents, photographs, slides, film negatives, 8mm and Super8 film, VHS and audio cassettes to digital files.

The Memory Digitization Lab was made possible by the Wright Library Foundation and Enterprise Roofing. 
See how you can support Wright Library by donating to the Foundation.

Reserve the Memory Lab

Memory Lab equipment is stored for use in the Shank Conference Room, so reservations are required, to ensure both that trained staff are available to help you get started, and that the room is not in use for another purpose. 

We strongly recommend scheduling at least a 2-hour session (select four 30-minute time slots). Check availability and reserve online using the link below, or by calling the library. 

Schedule the Memory Lab 

 

Guided Orientations Available

Demonstration of lab equipment is available during Tech Tutoring hours (Wednesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m., subject to availability of the Shank Conference Room) or can be requested by appointment.  

Frequently Asked Questions

See our List of Equipment. 

At this time, all Memory Lab equipment is for in-library use only.

Bring whatever media you wish to digitize-- old photographs, video tapes, film, audio recordings. You'll also need to provide a digital storage method for your newly digital files. This can be a USB flash drive, SD card, other portable storage, or an online cloud-based storage location. (Make sure you know your username & password to access it from the library.) The library will provide necessary accessories for the use of the digitization equipment.
How long it takes depends on what kind of media you have and how much of it you have. Conversion of many recorded formats takes at least the playing time of the recording and often longer, so users should plan accordingly. 
Memory Lab sessions are scheduled for 2 hours. If you don't need the full 2 hours, no problem.
If more than 2 hours is required and if meeting room availability allows, you can schedule two sessions back to back, or come back another day. Our Meeting Room Policy limits meeting room time to maximum 4 hours per day per patron/group.
Library staff can assist users in getting started and troubleshooting, but are limited in the amount of time during which they can offer assistance.  Guided Orientations are available during Tech Tutoring hours (Wednesdays between 10 a.m.-1 p.m.) or can be requested by appointment.
Library staff may decline to handle especially fragile material, and may limit patrons from digitizing media that could damage or dirty the equipment. Patrons should take precautions in handling fragile materials and educate themselves about how to do so safely.

Use Memory Lab equipment at your own risk. The Library and its staff are not responsible to for any damage to personal materials that occurs during the use of library spaces or equipment.

List of Equipment

reel-to-reel film projector with digital LCD display screen

Wolverine Reel2Reel Converter

  • Converts 8mm and Super8 film to Digital 
  • Supports 3"-5" diameter reels
  • Save to full -sized SD card (the library can provide one for transfer purposes)
An open book lies on a platform, scanner lamp shines down on the pages

CZUR ET24 Book Scanner

Use for scanning: 

  • Books
  • Standard Documents
  • Oversize documents
Epson flatbed scanning device

EPSON V850 Flatbed Scanner

Use for scanning: 

  • Documents
  • Slides
  • Film negatives

Includes film holders for: 35 mm slides, 35mm film strips, medium format, 6cm x 20cm, 4" x 5"

Scanner with a color photo being fed into the top

EPSON FastFoto

Use for scanning: 

  • Printed photographs
    • size range: 2" x 2" to 8.5" x 240"
  • Documents
cylindrical device with buttons and a color LCD screen on top

Kodak Scanza

Use for scanning: 

  • Slides
  • Film Negative formats:
    • 35mm
    • 126
    • 110
a flat, rectangular plastic device with buttons and a color LCD display

Wolverine TransMedia

  • Converts VHS tapes to MP4 digital video files 
  • Save to USB flash drive, SD Card, or DVD
  • Can also transfer files from different digital storage media, e.g. DVD to flash drive
A walkman-like cassette tape player

ReShow Cassette to MP3 Converter

 

  • Converts audio cassette to digital audio file
  • Save to USB flash drive
Source URL: https://wrightlibrary.org/services/memory-lab