How Can We Help You?

• The Digitization Stations are bookable in 4-hour blocks.
• Customers can book one concurrent session at a time but can book any number of additional sessions per day after the current session has expired.
• Bookings are subject to the bookings of other customers.

Basic computer skills are required. These are self-serve workstations and library staff are not trained to provide technical support. Staff can show you where to find the technical support content on the workstation desktop and where the workstation manuals are located to assist you with basic functionality (e.g., how to videos, manuals, etc.). 

You must supply your own file storage media (e.g., writeable CD/DVD, USB Drive, cloud drive account for upload via internet, etc.) to save your digitized files to. The Digitization Station computer will be wiped of all data and user activity once your session is over.

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this workstation.

When you arrive for your booking a library staff member will be available to walk you through a brief orientation of the Digitization Station equipment and show you where you can access additional support material to guide you through the basic functions of converting VHS tapes, photos, slides, and negatives to digital format.

• VHS / VHS-C: .mpg
• 35mm Standard slides: .jpg
• 35mm (135) Standard film negatives: .jpg
• 110 "Instamatic" film negatives: .jpg
• Print photos: .jpg
• Print documents: .jpg

In addition, file conversion tools that allow you to convert images and videos to different formats other than the .jpgs and .mpgs that the Digitization Station initially saves digitized files as, are also provided.

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A timer will display at the bottom right corner of the computer screen. When it hits zero (0) your session will end and all of your work will be wiped clean for the next user.

Make sure to save your files to personal storage before your session timer runs out. Saving files to external devices may take longer than you think, so make sure you leave yourself enough time to transfer all of your files before your session ends. We recommend you save your work frequently, just to be safe.

One-click friendly flatbed scanner that can digitize:

• Photographs printed on paper (matte or glossy are both fine)
• Printed documents
• 35mm Standard slides (up to 12 at a time)
• 35mm (135) Standard film negatives (up to 6 images at a time as stills)
• 110 "Instamatic" film negatives (up to 6 images at a time as stills)

Save photos, slides, or negatives in a digital format for photo preservation and enhanced digital viewing experiences (e.g., TVs, digital photo frames, tablets, computers, smartphones, etc.). 

Software that provides basic image and video editing is provided on the Digitization Station computer.

Note: Scanning slides or negatives requires special inserts for the scanner that are located in the file folder holder on the Digitization Station desk. The tutorial videos and manuals will instruct you on how to use them. Please inquire with staff if you are unable to locate these templates at the Digitization Station.

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this workstation.

Photo/slide/negative scanning is available at Central Library and George Bothwell locations.

Central Library Digitization Station:

• Transfer One Photo per Scan (Manual)
• Transfer Multiple Photos per Scan (Manual)
• Regular Color Film (135 format)
  • Short Strip (less than 6 frames per strip) (Manual)
• Slide (135 format) (Manual)

George Bothwell Digitation Station:

• Scan Photos or Documents - EPSON Perfection software: manual |  FAQ

Super 8+ Scanner Reflecta

• The digitizer scans each individual frame and then combines them into a single video file. The scanning process can take a while (ex. 2.5 hours for a 3-minute reel of film) and does not include additional set up and editing time.

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this equipment.

The Super 8 Digitizer is only available at Central Library and is only offered with the assistance of staff and must be booked through the Digital Media Studio.

One Click conversion from VHS tape to DVD format (playable in DVD/Blu-ray players). This process converts content in real time. For example, one hour of tape will take one hour to convert over to DVD format. 

Note: We have a VHS-C adapter available that can help you convert VHS-C and Super VHS-C camcorder cassettes to DVD. Ask at our Circulation Desk to borrow it for in-library use!

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this workstation.

VHS tape to DVD service is available at Central Library and George Bothwell locations.

Central Library Digitization Station:

• Copy VHS to DVD
  • One VHS to One DVD (Manual)
  • Multiple VHS to One DVD (Manual)

Convert VHS tape to commonly used digital media formats playable on computers, tablets, smartphones and other digital media players. 

Note: We have a VHS-C adapter available that can help you convert VHS-C and Super VHS-C camcorder cassettes to DVD. Ask at our Circulation Desk to borrow it for in-library use.

File sizes can be quite large and you may not be able to save a single large file (4GB or more) to your USB drive. This is due to limitations of the file system used by most USB drives (called FAT32) . We recommend using USB drives formatted to use the NTFS or exFAT file system. Which file system is right for you depends on a number of factors .

Software that provides basic image and video editing is provided on the Digitization Station.

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this workstation.

VHS tape to digital media file format service is available at Central Library and George Bothwell locations.

Central Library Digitization Station:

• Copy VHS to Computer Video File Format (.mpg format) (Manual)

George Bothwell Digitation Station:

• VHS to Digital - CyberLink PowerDirector software support

Access digital files stored on media drive formats that are no longer commonplace on newly purchased computers and media players (i.e. many new devices rely on USB peripherals and wireless streaming to consume media content and do not include built-in disc drives).

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this workstation

Data file storage from CD/DVD (read/write) and Blue-ray (read only) drives is available at Central Library and George Bothwell locations.

Central Library Digitization Station:

• Convert Computer Video File Formats (.mpg to AVI, etc.)
• Burn Computer Video Files to DVD/Blu-Ray

George Bothwell Digitization Station:

• Convert Audio, Video, and Other Formats - Handbrake software support
• Burn a CD or DVD - CDBurnerXP software support.

Access digital files stored on media drive formats that are no longer commonplace on newly purchased computers and media players (i.e. many new devices rely on USB peripherals and wireless streaming to consume media content and do not include built-in disc drives).

Note: The library is not responsible for any damage customers may incur to their personal property when using this workstation.

Data file storage from 3.5 floppy discs (read/write) is currently unavailable at this time.