Memory Cart
Digitize your memories with the Library’s Memory Cart
What is a Memory Cart?
A Memory Cart is a cart that holds technology that can be used to digitize old photographs, negatives, slides, family letters, VHS tapes of family movies, and family films recorded on 8mm and/or Super 8 film. Laconia Public Library is excited to have equipment for digitizing and preserving your memories by converting photographs, slides, film negatives, family letters, and home movies to digital formats.
What can I digitize with the Memory Cart?
The Memory Cart is equipped with a flatbed scanner, a VHS Vidbox Converter, a Wolverine 8mm/Super 8 digitizer, and a laptop. This means you can digitize all sorts of memorabilia! Examples of items that can be digitized using the Memory Cart include:
- Photographs
- Slides
- Negatives
- Medium-format panoramic film
- Letters
- Family movies on VHS tapes
- Family movies on 8mm/Super 8 film
How do I sign up to use the Memory Cart?
Laconia Public Library’s Memory Cart is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you would like to use the Memory Cart to digitize your memorabilia, ask a staff member at the main desk. The Memory Cart is located in our Local History Room, so you will need to sign in and provide a license or other form of identification at the main desk prior to using the Memory Cart.
What will I need to bring with me?
- Materials that you would like to digitize.
- e device. Please bring a USB Flash Drive or USB external storage device for scanned items or digitized VHS files. Please make sure you have enough room available for the items you are saving. A good rule of thumb is that 1 hour of compressed VHS will take about 2.5GB of storage space, and uncompressed will take about 15GB. Plan to bring more storage than you need.
- For 8mm/Super 8 film, you will need to bring your own SD/SDHC card no larger than 32GB. Any other type of SD card will not work.
Is there anything else I need to know?
- The Memory Cart may not be used to digitize materials that are currently under copyright, (including programs recorded off of television).
- VHS footage is digitized in real-time. If your VHS tape is 1 hour long, it will take 1 hour to digitize it. Patrons using the Memory Cart should monitor their materials while they are being digitized. Plan ahead, bring a book or another project that can be worked on while you wait.
The Library is not responsible for any damages incurred to patron materials during use of the Memory Cart.
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Sarah Frost
Adult Services LibrarianPhone: (603) 524-4775 x606