Note. From Reasons to Digitize Your Family Photos [photograph old photographs on a table), 2020, DiJiFi. https://www.dijifi.com/blog/reasons-to-digitize-your-family-photos
The institution I have chosen to work with is the Sacramento Public Library (SPL). Its first library, the Sacramento Free Public Library, was opened on June 14, 1879 and was a collaboration between some of Sacramento’s leading citizens of the time (Sacramento Public Library, n.d.). Today, SPL has 28 branches which serve residents of the greater Sacramento area. One of its core values includes providing access to resources that help their patrons achieve their goals and supporting everyone’s freedom to choose for themselves what they read and learn (SacLib, 2024). Its strategic plan for 2024-2027 includes the goal of fostering a lifelong love of learning and reading among their patrons by promoting access to a wide range of materials (SacLib, 2024). In the spirit of this goal, I’d like to implement memory labs as part of the services the Sacramento Public Library offers to its patrons.
Memory labs are meant to be free spaces where patrons can digitize their photos, documents, audiovisual recordings, and other formats (California State Library, n.d.). The idea was conceived by the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the National Leadership Grant (Memory Lab Network, n.d.). Their goal was to build Memory Lab digital preservation programs in public libraries across the U.S. based on the DCPL Memory Lab model (Memory Lab Network, n.d.). Implementing Memory Labs aligns with participatory service by connecting SPL to community members, saving their shared history, and supporting the institution’s goal of fostering lifelong learning among their patrons.
If you’d like to check out my Action Briefs and Plan you can view it here. Innovation Strategy Roadmap Assignment_DGonzalez
References:
California State Library (n.d.). Memory Lab. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/ideas/memory-lab/
SacLib (n.d.). Our History. Sacramento Public Library. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.saclibrary.org/About/Our-History
SacLib (2024). Sacramento Public Library Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027. Sacramento Public Library. https://www.saclibrary.org/Saclibrary/media/MediaAssets/Sacramento_Public_Library_Strategic_Plan-2024.pdf
Hi Daniel! My main library branch in Napa (as you included in your presentation) has a Memory Lab that’s incredibly popular. Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to use it yet but know fellow patrons who have. All I hear are good things! I believe they’re even considering adding one to another branch. I think the most exciting element of Memory Labs is that patrons across different age groups can use them, especially with the help of trained library staff as you discussed. Something interesting I noticed in your presentation was the use of separate patron and staff Action Briefs. I had trouble including a healthy mix of these two in my own Action Brief, so I wished I did this! Great presentation!