Preserving the Past, Creating the Future
Our self-service Memory Lab is available by appointment for you to digitize your precious family memories.
Memory Lab
Preserve Your Precious Memories with Our Digital Conversion Lab
Our Memory Lab is a free and easy way to turn your old photos, slides, home movies, and cassette tapes into digital files you can keep and share.
The Memory Lab at the Tremont Road Branch is a do-it-yourself space with equipment and instructions for digitizing and preserving your precious memories. You can convert VHS tapes, audio cassettes, vinyl records, film slides, photographs, and documents into digital formats. Once digitized, you can easily share them with friends and family.
Who Can Use the Memory Lab
To use the Memory Lab, you’ll need a Upper Arlington Public Library (UAPL) card and some basic computer skills. You’ll also need to agree to our simple Terms of Use before you begin.
The Memory Lab is a free, do-it-yourself space, and we’re here to help you get started. We look forward to seeing what treasures you create!
What You Can Convert in our Lab
Audio
- Cassette tapes: Convert your old mixtapes and cherished audio recordings into digital formats you can listen to anywhere.
- Vinyl records (33, 45 RPM): Digitize your classic albums and rare vinyl records, preserving their unique sound for generations to come.
Video
- VHS tapes: Transform your home videos from bulky VHS tapes into modern, accessible digital files.
- 8mm & Super 8mm films: Bring your classic home movies into the digital age, making it easy to share and watch them on any device.
Photos
- Photo prints: Scan your dusty photo albums into shareable digital files.
- Slides: Preserve your old slide collections by converting them into high-quality digital images.
- Negatives: Convert your photo negatives into new digital prints.
How It Works
This free, do-it-yourself space gives you the tools to digitize your personal media, putting you in charge of your own preservation project.
- Reserve Your Spot: The lab is a popular space, so be sure to reserve your session in advance using our online booking system. If something comes up and you can’t make it, please let us know at least 24 hours ahead of time. You can use the cancellation link in your confirmation email or give us a call. If you are more than 10 minutes late for you reservation, it will be cancelled and the Memory Lab Station will be made available for others to use.
- Come Prepared: You’ll need a place to save all your new digital files. Please bring your media (tapes, photos, etc.) and a storage device like a USB drive, SD card or external hard drive. In addition, you can use your personal cloud storage. Find more information regarding storage media below.
- We’ll Help You Get Started: Our friendly staff will get you set up on the equipment and give you written instructions. While we’re happy to provide basic troubleshooting when needed, the lab is designed for you to be in the driver’s seat. You’ll be using the equipment and managing your own files.
- Preserve & Share: In the end, you’ll have digital copies of your precious memories to share with family and friends.
You’ll get the most out of your session if you’re comfortable with basic computer tasks, such as saving files and navigating folders.
Important: Our staff can’t assist with tasks like editing, colorizing, or repairing images, but we’ll provide manuals and guides for the equipment.
Memory Lab: Digitize Your Photos and Videos
Our self-service Memory Lab is available by appointment for you to digitize your precious family memories.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
2800 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington | Mon – Thu: 10am – 8pm; Fri: 10am – 6pm; Sat: 10am – 5pm; Sun: 1pm – 5pm
Book Your Time NowManuals and Guides
Lab Equipment Guides
Storage Media Guide
| What You Want to Do | Equipment | Storage Media | Limitations & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record tape sound to digital (MP3 conversion) | KLIM K7 Cassette Player | SD card (MicroSD card slot) | MP3 format recordings. Device only records from cassettes to SD cards, not onto tapes. |
| Convert 8mm and Super 8 movies to digital | KODAK Reels Film Digitizer | SD memory card (max 128GB) | No sound capture. The scanner will not be able to operate on film that is damaged, overlapping, torn, unaligned, or crooked. |
| Scan a document (JPEG, PDF, TIFF) | Plustek OpticSlim 1180 | Computer hard drive | Several GB of free disk recommended. |
| Convert analog video (VHS) to digital (MPEG-2, MP4, WMV) | VIDBOX Video Conversion |
|
Large file sizes. Space depends on length and quality. |
| Convert a vinyl audio recording to digital | Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB | Computer hard drive (USB connection) | Only available for 33, 45 RPM. Audio CD ≈10MB/min. Max 999 files on MP3 discs. |
| Scan photo prints (JPEG) | Plustek ePhoto Scanner | Computer folder (≈10GB free space) | JPEG output. Around 50–60 continuous scans per session. |
| Scan 35mm film negatives or slides | Plustek OpticFilm 8300i Ai | Computer folder (≈20GB recommended) | High resolution = large files. TIFF format needed for 48-bit color. |
The Fine Print
Important Information
A patron who wishes to use the Memory Lab is responsible for the following:
- Locate, organize, and prioritize the material you would like to digitize. Check all material for mold, mildew, dirt, or damage that could be harmful to the library’s equipment.
- Plan the appropriate amount of time to digitize your memories. A Memory Lab appointment can be up to 4 hours so it’s important to plan your time accordingly.
- Photos, slides, negatives, and documents: Plan for at least 2 minutes per item.
- Audio and video recordings: Plan for the running time of the item.
- Make sure there is adequate time for items to be organized and saved after digitization, and that you plan for unexpected issues or delays that may arise.
- Reserve the Memory Lab space for the desired time. Appointments can be made through our website.
- Read and agree to the Memory Lab Terms of Use.
- Provide your own storage device or be able to access cloud storage to save digitized memories.
If you wish to listen to sound while converting audio or video formats, it is recommended that you bring your own headphones or purchase earbuds from the UAPL Customer Service Department. A pair of over-ear headphones will be available to use at the Memory Lab station but note that staff does not clean equipment between use.
Terms of Use
All visitors using Library facilities are required to abide by the rules and regulations established by the Library. Anyone failing to comply with these rules may be denied future Memory Lab privileges.
- The Memory Lab must be reserved through the Library’s website at www.ualibrary.org.
- Patrons using the Memory Lab must follow the Standards for Patron Conduct.
- Use of the Memory Lab is subject to the Library’s Internet Policy as well as any other applicable Library policy. Failure to abide by all applicable policy and procedure will result in suspension or loss of Memory Lab use privileges
- The Memory Lab is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Library needs take precedence over all other uses. The Library reserves the right to change or cancel use of the Memory Lab by a patron if the Director or Board of Trustees determines the space is needed for Library purposes.
- The Memory Lab may be scheduled no more than 30 days in advance.
- Memory Lab use must end 30 minutes before Library closing time.
- Persons scheduling the Memory Lab must be at least 18 years old. An Adult must assume responsibility for minors using the Memory Lab equipment during their reserved time.
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult while using the Memory Lab
- Cancellation of a Memory Lab appointment should be given to the Library 24 hours in advance.
- The patron using the Memory Lab is responsible for cleaning up and returning the equipment to its original set up.
- Food and drink are not permitted while using the Memory Lab equipment.
- Personal property, such as storage devices or materials to be scanned, must remain with the user at all times, and may not be stored at the Library.
- The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage of personal property directly or indirectly related to the use of library equipment and information resources.
- The individual who reserves the Memory Lab space is considered the main user, and is financially responsible for any damage or misuse of the library’s equipment, including damage caused by attempting to digitize personal material that is in poor condition.
- Transfer of obscene materials or content otherwise inappropriate for the library environment is prohibited.
- Patrons are responsible for saving their work on a personal, external memory source, such as a USB or external hard drive, or cloud storage. After each use, the Memory Lab computer resets and all files are deleted.
- The Memory Lab is designed to be a Do-It-Yourself station. Users must have at minimum a basic knowledge of how to operate a computer, and be able to follow step-by-step instructions that will be provided. Library Staff will only be able to provide basic information and assistance.
- Any individual failing to comply with these rules may be denied future Memory Lab privileges. Reinstatement of privileges can be granted only by action of the Upper Arlington Public Library Board of Trustees.