Personal collections are larger than ever, spanning the physical (keepsakes and journals) to the digital (email and social media accounts). The Memory Lab helps users organize, digitize, and track their collections. Our key message is that what is produced purposefully (like a home movie or photograph) and what is produced in daily life (like a calendar appointment or email) could be important for your loved ones and for the cultural record. We actively help users figure out how to preserve their digital history.

The Memory Lab allows the public to transfer their treasured memories from VHS, Beta, CD and other formats to digitally creating their own digital memory album. The public library is the perfect place for this because it not only provides customers with the tools to do the literal conversions, but empowers them – via online resources and trainings – to curate and preserve their personal items in accordance with best practices. The Memory Lab meets the unique 21st century information management needs of our customers in a fun and very personal way.

Since it opened in February 2016, the Memory Lab is always booked. The public spends about 200 hours per month digitizing memories and keepsakes. Outreach programs included home movie day at a branch, with many tears at seeing and sharing long-lost video footage. DC Public Library is investing in personal digital archiving training for staff and anticipates increasing the number of DIY sites with equipment. With continued investment, we anticipate the public will increase their awareness of the need for personal digital archiving and regard us as the “go to” place to learn more.