TULARE COUNTY – A collaborative project between the Tulare County Libraries and the Tulare County Museum will debut in Visalia to preserve historical records and documents.
The lab will open on Dec. 17 at the Visalia branch library in the Annie R. Mitchell History Room. The lab will be open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are required and can be arranged on the Tulare County Library website.
“The Memory Lab provides cutting-edge equipment and state-of-the-art technology for digitizing a wide range of old personal media, including VHS tapes, audio cassettes, photographs and more,” a statement announcing the project states. “This collaborative initiative combines the expertise and resources of both the Library and Museum to address the growing need for digitization and preservation in an ever-evolving digital landscape.”
Staff will also offer a mobile lab to help residents of the county with saving old materials. The lab will feature digitization stations that include professional-grade scanners, staff on-site who are trained to provide expert guidance on how the equipment works and will work with local organizations to preserve historical documents.
“At the Tulare County Library and the Tulare County Museum, we recognize the importance of preserving our collective heritage for future generations,” said Amy King-Sunderson, Curator at the Tulare County Museum. “The Memory Lab represents a shared commitment to harnessing technology to safeguard irreplaceable memories and artifacts, ensuring they remain accessible to all.”
Funding for the lab comes from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the District of Columbia Public Library.
“The launch of the Memory Lab represents a significant investment in the preservation of cultural heritage and underscores the Tulare County Library and the Tulare County Museum’s commitment to serving their communities in meaningful and impactful ways,” the statement reads.
