Waverley Library has become the first library in NSW to offer a digitisation service.
Being offered free of charge, library members can use the digitisation station to create digital versions of film negatives, 35mm slides, Hi8 tapes, VHS tapes, and photographs.
Waverley’s ePrograms Librarian, Christian Darby says the service has already proved overwhelmingly popular.
“All of the six introductory sessions booked out instantly, and, in the last six weeks we’ve been up and running, almost 150 people have made individual bookings,” he said.
“People are jumping at the chance to convert their personal records into a digital format.
“We’ve had some really wonderful feedback from people who’ve had a chance to use the digitisation station. They’ve been able to convert photos and videos that haven’t been seen for decades, bringing back happy memories of times gone by. The intergenerational impact is also clear – parents and grandparents have been able to introduce younger generations to photos and videos they haven’t had a chance to see until now.”
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos says the Library’s latest innovative offering is a great opportunity to improve equitable access to digitisation.
“Commercial digitisation is quite expensive, and therefore unaffordable for many people. This is an opportunity to bring memories back to life in a format that is compatible with contemporary lifestyles. I encourage anyone who’s got old VHS tapes or negatives knocking about in a cupboard to dig them out and book in a session,” she said.
Mr Darby says that any resident of NSW can become a library member, and all you need to use the user-friendly station is basic computer skills.
“We’ve created step-by step instructions to help people use the equipment, and our wonderful library staff can help with a brief orientation when you arrive for your session. If you think you’ll need more hands-on assistance, we can book you in for a one-on-one 60-minute introduction session – we want to make this as easy for as many people as possible.”
Call Waverley Library on 9083 8733 to book a session. Allow for about a minute per item for photographs and negatives. VHS tapes will need to be played all the way through in real time.
