Convert your older media to digital files with the library's new Memory Lab!

Do you have shoeboxes full of photographs?  Or carousels full of slides?  Do you have a shelf of VHS tapes of your kids’ school plays, or of Christmases past?  Do you even have a VHS player, or a slide projector anymore?  It is time to copy these precious memories to a format that will withstand the test of time, and the Dover Public Library can help you!

The Dover Public Library’s Memory Lab has the equipment you need to convert your photographs, negatives, slides, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes to digital files.  You can save these files on your computer, on a thumb drive, or in the cloud. 

The library offers three different Memory Lab Equipment Stations:  the scanner (for photographs, negatives, and slides), the VHS/DVD converter (for VHS tapes), and the Cassette converter (for cassette tapes).  You can make an appointment on our website to use one of these stations for free!  Appointments are for 2 ½ or 3 hours.  During your appointment, you can convert your memories to digital files. 

Please be aware that the VHS conversion and Cassette conversion occurs in real time. If you are going to copy a 2-hour VHS tape it will take 2 hours to copy the contents, with some additional time to finalize the DVD.  But no worries…the library has lots of books and magazines for you to read while you wait!

All Memory Lab apparatus comes with easy-to-follow, detailed instructions (with pictures!) telling you how to use the equipment. Library staff cannot do the conversions for you, but we can certainly help with questions as you start your process.  

The library is also offering tutorial programs to introduce each Memory Lab Equipment Station so that you can get the most out of your appointment time. Our first instructional programs will be held on Thursday, February 15 and Saturday, February 17 from 2-4pm, and on Monday, March 5 from 6-8pm to introduce the equipment:

February 15 & 17: From 2-2:30pm  the Cassette converter; from 2:30-3pm  the VHS converter; from 3-4pm  the Photograph, Negative, and Slide Scanner.

March 5: From 6-6:30pm  the Cassette converter; from 6:30-7pm  the VHS converter; from 7-8pm  the Photograph, Negative, and Slide Scanner.

You may attend as many sessions as you wish!

Come to the Library to take a walk down memory lane and save those memories for the future. For more information, call Peggy Thrasher at the Dover Public Library (603) 516-6050.