The memory of entire lives, generations even, were recorded on technology that is rapidly becoming difficult to access, difficult to preserve, or just plain inconvenient to have around.
As VHS tapes, Beta Max, slides and audio film, photos, or negatives, and the personal memories they contain risk being lost to history, so the Nashville Public Library system has introduced the “Memory Lab,” where these media can be digitized, stored without risk of physical damage, and easily shared.
“Memory Lab is more than just technology—it’s a creative space where anyone can reconnect with their history and capture moments that otherwise might have been lost forever,” said the public library in a statement.
Anyone can reserve an appointment to turn to digitize their physical media in the lab, which is equipped with a VHS-to-digital convertor and a state-of-the-art, multifunctional scanner.
Reservations, which span from 15 minutes to 4 hours, are available for free at the Donelson Branch Library, located at 2714 Old Lebanon Pike, Nashville, and interested parties will receive a confirmation email with instructions once a reservation has been made.
A statement from the library says that commercial digitization services might charge $30 per tape and $1 per image, which for a whole photo album or home movie collection could really add up.
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The Nashville Public Library and its Memory Lab are also part of a growing national trend at public libraries (DC, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and others) working to bridge the digital divide, and places them among a handful of libraries in the state offering free media digitization, including in Rutherford and Williamson counties.
“We are pleased about the launch of Memory Lab, but the most rewarding part is yet to come—all of the stories, memories, and history that will be given new life and preserved for the next generation.”
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