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FLORENCE – Do you have boxes of old photos that are sitting the closet gathering dust and beginning to fade away?
Are there home movies sitting around that cannot be played because you don’t have a VCR?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the Pinal County Library District has a deal for you.
Beginning in September, eight libraries around Pinal County will offer “Digitization Stations” where patrons can convert their family photos and home movies to either a digital or updated medium, such as VHS to DVD.
Some of the equipment includes video conversion devices, image scanners, audio cassette converters, and conversion and editing software. Users can bring in their VHS tapes, negatives, slides, and even old camcorders with Hi8 cassettes to convert.
“Due to the lack of digitization services in Pinal County it is our hope that we can help people enjoy their cherished family memories that may have been boxed away,” stated Ann Leonard, Emerging Technologies Librarian. “Bring in your home movies so you can share them with family online!”
Operation Digitization is available thanks to a grant acquired by the Pinal County Library District this year. The “Operation Digitization” grant is for $29,500. The grant was awarded by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State. Also helping with the project are federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Another grant known as “Maximizing Success” will allow the Library District to implement a community analysis to learn what Pinal County residents expect from their public library, what they enjoy and why they may or may not visit their local library.
“When we’re placing book orders, there are times when we are guessing at what people are going to like. It would be helpful to have some hard data,” said Library Director Denise Keller. “Be on the lookout for our surveys at your local library or within your community. Your feedback helps the libraries understand community needs and improve our services!”
These grants will be implemented throughout the Summer and Fall of 2015. Learn more about Pinal County libraries at pinalcountyaz.gov/library and select “Locations.”
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