Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is encouraging residents to take a trip down memory lane and convert their old videos, cassettes and film to digitals at Brisbane’s latest media conversion station.
Cr Schrinner said Chermside Library’s new media conversion station would be available from March for customers wanting to digitise their memories for free.
“Libraries aren’t just about books anymore. They are growing into multi-purpose technology hubs, which is why my Council is continuing to invest in the latest tools for residents,” he said.
“Before iPhones and cloud computing, we had to store our precious memories on VHS tapes, cassettes and film negatives which means many of us are sitting on priceless memories.
“Through a media conversion station, residents can transfer VHS tapes, floppy disks, historical documents, photographic prints, slides, audio cassettes or film negatives into digital files that can be saved onto a USB stick or a portable hard drive for free.
“Last year, we opened the first station in Carindale, which has been used by more than 200 customers to undertake more than 550 hours of projects.
“We’ve been able unearth a swathe of heart-warming stories through the process, including one customer who came in and converted her husband’s one and only daredevil skydiving experience for his birthday.
“Some grandparents came in and converted VHS tapes of their children and sent the digital copies to the US, giving their grandchildren their first opportunity to see their parents as children.
“Another customer converted a VHS tape filled with old commercials made by his father when he worked in TV and sent them to him as a surprise Father’s Day gift – he was blown away as he hadn’t seen them in over 30 years.”
Cr Schrinner said library staff would be on hand at the new Chermside Conversion Station to help residents convert their items.
“Library staff complete a brief orientation with each new user or people can take advantage of group information sessions,” he said.
“All you need to bring in is your old media formats and something to save them on (a USB, hard drive or DVD).
“Scanning and saving files such as photos and documents takes approximately one minute per item and audio cassettes and VHS tapes will need to play all the way through in real time to be recorded.”
For more information on Brisbane libraries, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.
