San Francisco Public Library launches new DIY Digi Lab where patrons can digitize their old videotapes, audiocassettes, film reels, photographs and more 

San Francisco – This holiday season, San Francisco Public Library is making it easy for patrons to bring their memories into the 21st century with a new DIY Digi Lab. Located at the Main Library, the Lab is equipped so the public can independently digitize personal videotapes (yes, including VHS formats!), audiocassettes, 8 mm or Super8 film reels, photographs, slides, negatives, papers and floppy disks. And all for free! Public appointments begin December 4. 

“I can think of no better gift than access to precious memories that would otherwise go unseen or unheard because technological advances have made much of the equipment we once used to record our life experiences and milestones obsolete,” says Digi Lab librarian Dee Dee Kramer. “Digitizing your old home movies, audiovisual recordings and photographs is a great way to preserve these memories for generations to come. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”  

Located in study room 540 on the 5th floor of the Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, the Lab is available Sundays 12:30–3:30 p.m. and Tuesdays 2–5 p.m. by appointment for individual, 3-hour sessions. Staff members are on hand to get patrons started with the equipment and help troubleshoot Patrons bring their own USB drives to transfer their files and take them home. More details along with a full list of supported formats and tips on how to prepare for a visit can be found at sfpl.org/diydigilab.  

LOCATION: DIY Digi Lab, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Room 540, 5th Floor 
HOURS: Sundays 12:30–3:30 p.m. and Tuesdays 2–5 p.m. by appointment for 3-hour sessions 
INFORMATION: sfpl.org/diydigilab