Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spanish Fork Library launches 'memory lab' and expands 'library of things' with digitization tools
Summary
At the Sept. 2 council meeting the library reported a new 'memory lab' with scanners, ClearClick devices, a sound booth and other equipment funded by a federal/state grant, plus a remembrance fund and expanded circulating nontraditional items.
Spanish Fork Library staff told the City Council on Sept. 2 that the library has launched a “memory lab” to allow residents to digitize older media formats and has expanded its “library of things” with items such as ClearClick converters, a projector, blood-pressure kits and radon monitors.
Scott (library staff) said the memory lab provides workstations and equipment — including VHS/camcorder playback, negative and photo scanners, cassette conversion stations and a sound booth — so patrons can preserve family photos, tapes and other analog media. The project was funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered through the Utah State Library, staff said.
“We've created some workstations upstairs on our second floor where patrons who maybe have old media formats that would like to get them digitized into a format that is more preservable, they can bring them in,” Scott said. He also described ClearClick devices the library will circulate for at-home digitization and a broader library-of-things collection that now includes projectors, telescopes, early-literacy backpacks and digital radon testers. Scott said patrons can sign up for a library card during National Library Card Sign-Up Month in September for small promotional items and prize drawings.
The library also described a remembrance fund that allows community members to donate in memory of a loved one, purchase library materials in their name, and have a bookplate and notification sent to the family. Staff said they are finalizing an online donation process to make remembrance contributions easier.
Council members responded positively and asked staff to return with any needed follow-up information. No formal action was required; the presentation was informational.
