I have always wondered what to do about old tech files. In high school I used to save my files on floppy disks before CDs and saving to a cloud were a thing. I also remember seeing my parents wedding on VHS. Memory labs are a game changer. Library users can digitize files they once thought were lost. Through equipment that can convert these older files into an updated format, people can recover and preserve memories. I am amazed how many libraries have memory labs and I am just now learning about it. To locate a memory lab nearby: https://memorylabnetwork.github.io/
Memory labs have even made it into the news:
The Frederick County Public Library has a step-by-step tutorial on how to use the memory lab to convert files.
The Los Angeles Public Library has a memory lab and they have provided instructional guides with screenshots to guide library users in the file conversion process. https://www.lapl.org/memorylab/diy
California Revealed is an organization that aids institutions in hosting memory labs in California on a mission to help people preserve their personal history. They have a vast catalog of preserved material. My favorite so far are viewing the home videos.
A peak at what Disneyland was like in the 1960s:
https://californiarevealed.org/do/37f2e09a-5059-4f7e-997c-1b9681817e39
The ability to preserve memories from old technology provides present and future generations with the opportunity to glimpse what life was like at the time those moments were captured.
References:
California Revealed. (1960). [Disneyland and Family Scenes/Domestic, 1960s.] . https://californiarevealed.org/do/37f2e09a-5059-4f7e-997c-1b9681817e39
KETV NewsWatch 7. (2024, November 19). ‘Preserve family memories’: Do Space opens memory lab at Abrahams Library. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jS7yMznjs4
FredCoLibrary. (2023, September 29). Welcome to the Memory Lab. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnZp9CRC26Q&list=PLkA2kTVYDKbvOaTTLqvWfg9gnRUWDWnyV
Memory Lab Network. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://memorylabnetwork.github.io/
Lilia,
These memory labs are so cool! My husband works for a moving company and they oftentimes come across older people, moving into smaller spaces, and they do not know what to do with all of their photos and videos. I wish this IMLS opportunity was still available as I think we need memory labs in so many places.
Thanks, Sara
I love the idea of a memory lab. I was just thinking about how sad I was because I lost all photos from the time my daughter was born until she was about 3.5. I wish there was a way to recover and go back to that! I also often think about what will happen in the future when the technology for these photos / photo storage goes away. You have a great idea here!