About OC Memory Lab
Our mission is to provide our communities the ability to preserve their documents, photos, and audiovisuals through digitization. The OC Memory Lab is "a space for free do-it-yourself digitization" allowing users to safeguard their important documents and memories. OC Public Libraries has two labs, one stationary lab at Tustin Library and a mobile unit for outreach and convenience services.
The OC Memory Lab is designated for users ages 13 and older. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.
OC Public Libraries Code of Conduct
OC Public Libraries Code of Conduct is enforced.
How Does it Work?
This OC Memory Lab project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
- Public access to the labs requires registration
- Bring your keepsakes along with your own storage device (a USB or external hard drive) to store your digitized projects
- It's a do-it-yourself model, meaning we provide step-by-step instructions, and you control the process from start to finish
- Must have an active library card
Lab equipment accepts:
- VHS
- 8 mm and Super 8 film
- Audio cassette
- DV & Mini DV
- Photos / Slides / Negatives
- Documents / Letters / Diaries
- S-VHS, VHS-C, and 3.5” floppy disk
Unsupported Formats
- 8-track or 4-track
- 16 mm film
- 35 mm film
- Betacam
- Betamax
- Blu-ray
- Digital8
- DVD
- Hi8
- Laserdisc
- Microcassette
- U-matic S
User provides external storage device (i.e. hard drive or USB flash drive).
Daily organization
Organizing your personal digital collection will help you locate, reference and re-use what you create.
Security
Losing track of your assets and online accounts is a threat to your online identity and personal security. This means that sometimes even deleting is a valuable archiving strategy.
Legacy
What you produce purposefully (home movie or photograph) and in daily life (calendar appointment or email
Library Card – Click here if you do not have a library card or are unsure if you have one.
Complete Registration & Waiver Form - Print, sign, and submit to library staff or pick up a copy at the library. Click here for the waiver.
Watch the Preservation Workshop
Book a session and bring your items: Reservations are three (3) hour sessions and are booked online and verified by Tustin Library staff after you submit the waiver. Bring your items to be digitized along with an external storage drive to save your digitized project. Media items will be checked by staff to ensure proper use of equipment
Inspect Materials to Digitize - Moldy or damaged materials can not be digitized using OC Memory Lab equipment.
Bring a Storage Device: The amount of memory you need will depend on how much you will digitize. Tip: 1 hour of video = 9 GB | 1 hour of audio = 620 MB | 1 5x7 photograph = >7MB as a JPEG vs. 40MB as a TIF
Our Equipment
Our equipment is free to use.
How-to guides are provided on this site and at the labs.
OC Memory Lab Equipment
- iMac Computer (Tustin Library only)
- MacBook Pro Laptop (Mobile Lab only)
- Scanner w/ Transparency Unit
- Video Converter
- VHS-DVD Combo Deck
- S-VHS Deck
- VHS-C Adapter
- DV & Mini-DV Deck
- Audiocassette Deck
- 8mm & Super 8 Film Converter
3.5” Floppy Disk Drive
DIY "How-To" Guides
- Reformatting an external drive
- Scanning documents/photographs/slides/negatives on Epson Expression 12000LX
- Scanning documents/photographs/slides/negatives on Epson Perfection V600
- Converting 8mm and Super 8 (picture only, no sound) on Wolverine
- Audiocassette to Digital Audio Transfer
- DV and Mini DV to Digital Transfer
- VHS to Digital Movie Transfer
- VHS-C to Digital Movie Transfer
OC Stories
OC Stories is our local history webpage. If you would like to upload and share your own OC story to this local history webpage, please acknowledge and sign the OCstories agreement below. Staff will show you where you can save your media for review and upload.
FAQ
Patrons can use our available equipment to:
- Scan photographs and documents
- Convert VHS, analog recordings, and audiocassette tapes into digital format
- Have your library card ready
- Sign and agree to the OC Memory Lab waiver
- Attend an orientation
- Make a reservation
The required orientation will assist you in getting familiar with our equipment. Library staff will also be available for assistance
Anything that has been copyrighted is prohibited
Yes, reservations are required. Reservations are available after you have completed orientation
The OC Memory Lab does not have this equipment available to borrow. There are various retail stores that sell USB and external drives
Bring a USB or an external hard drive to save your content. Please note that when transferring video formats, at least 4GB for every 1 hour of video is recommended
Currently, sessions are for three hours
Yes, you must have an OCPL library card in good standing. Apply for a free library card here
Orientation is available through the registration process
An external hard drive or USB thumb drive. It is recommended the storage device is more
Tuesday - Thursday: 12:00PM-6:00PM
Friday - Saturday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Please take your items along with your external hard drive
OC Public Libraries will offer OC Memory Lab services throughout the county with the mobile unit. Email Tustin Library for suggested locations
Resources
Personal Archiving: Preserving Your Digital Memories.
Provides basic guidance to individuals about preserving personal and family memories in digital form.
Your Personal Archiving Project: Where Do You Start?
Tips on getting started and maintaining an approach that will get your through.
