Located in the Octavia Lab on LL2 at Central Library, the DIY Memory Lab contains archival grade equipment for digitizing personal archival collections. The DIY Digital Memory Lab can digitize multiple formats of material, including:
- Documents
- Photos, slides, negatives
- Super 8 and 8mm film (picture only, no audio)
- Compact audio cassette
- CD and DVD
- DV and MiniDV (SP)
- 3.5” inch floppy disks
- Minidisc
- Reel to reel audio tape
- 3/4" U-matic
- VHS and VHS-C (SP and EP)
- Vinyl record (LP and 45)
To use the DIY Memory Lab, patrons must have a LAPL library card in good standing, attend an orientation, read and agree to Octavia Lab policies, sign a release form, and make a reservation.
Reservations of up to 4 hours are available between the following times:
- Mondays 1 - 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays 1 - 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Thursdays 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Fridays 1 - 5 p.m.
- Saturdays 1 - 5 p.m.
Please remember to bring your own storage media, such as an external hard drive, for your digitized material.
Our Workflows
Contact Memory Lab
Phone: 213-228-7150E-mail: memorylab@lapl.org
The DIY Memory Lab is a project done in association with Washington, D.C. Public Library and is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Equipment has been generously donated by KJLA Studios, KCET, and Russell Pyle.