PCPL launches new digital lab

Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Archivist Anthony Barger tests out the equipment for the Putnam County Public Library’s new digital lab.
Courtesy photo

The Putnam County Public Library has announced a new digital lab in its archives department that will provide equipment and space for the community to digitize photographs, videos, sound recordings and more.

“As our technologies continue to change, as they always have, the digital lab will allow patrons to migrate old formats to newer formats,” said archivist Anthony Barger. “We are providing a free method to convert VHS, cassette tapes, LPs, 8mm film and more to current digital formats.”

These digital formats will allow patrons to make duplicates that can be shared with friends and family.

The digital lab is funded by a donation in memory of Edgar and Betty Whitman Bayliff, and was made by their family in support of the digital lab and future initiatives at the library.

“We are very thankful to the family of Edgar and Betty for making this project a reality and for how we might expand the digital lab going forward,” PCPL Director Matt McClelland said.

Initial equipment for the digital lab will include a full digitization studio.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the archives department is offering drop-off service for the digital lab with plans to allow patron access to the equipment in the future.

To schedule an appointment, email Barger at abarger@pcpl21.org or call the library at 653-2755.

The archives department is also seeking donations of working camcorders, VHS players or other similar equipment. Additional information on the complete offering can be found at www.pcpl21.org/history/digitallab.

“We take the responsibility of offering something for everyone in the community seriously,” McClelland said. “This is especially true when a new initiative is funded in someone’s memory.

“While not everyone is an avid reader, I know of few families who don’t have old family photos, documents or tapes gathering dust,” he added. “We are excited to offer those families a way to preserve and share those items free of charge.”

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  • This is a thoughtful service to offer to the public. Thank you, Mr. Barger, for making this service available at PCPL.

    -- Posted by LJScott on Wed, Mar 3, 2021, at 9:06 AM
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