The Memory Lab Network was created to help individuals and communities across the United States to preserve their personal histories and recorded memories for the future. By furnishing a free, do-it-yourself space for the digitization of photos, documents, and audiovisual recordings, Memory Labs offer a unique opportunity for organizations to connect with community members, save shared history, and drive home principles of preservation and access. Memory Lab components - equipment and resources – are designed to be modular and scalable, and can be set up variously as in-house and/or mobile programs.
Memory Lab Support: Training
A Memory Lab provides library staff and patrons with guidelines, tools, and training for personal analog and digital archiving. Additionally, California Revealed is available to advise organizations and their community members as they plan and build out their Memory Lab. California Revealed provides support and training through the course of the grant, and beyond. Based on the Memory Lab Network training model, in-person training, monthly check-ins, and webinars provide grantees with practical knowledge in digitization, and help them support and plan their own digitization program.
Grantees are encouraged to connect with other Memory Labs to build regional partnerships in California and contribute to the Memory Lab Network - exchanging information, troubleshooting, and reaching wider audiences. Check the map of California Memory Labs for a Memory Lab near you.
Want to Build a Memory Lab?
Libraries inspired to create or support a Memory Lab can apply for a 2023/24 Inspiration Grant. Inspiration Grants provide Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding for California libraries that are inspired to implement projects outside of the State Library’s other funding opportunities. To apply for an Inspiration Grant, please visit the application page.
The Memory Lab resource page, in addition to the training below, can help organizations plan and implement the project. Applicants should co-design the project with their community.
Information Session: Recording and Slides
- Recorded October 20, 2023, this webinar provides an overview of the Memory Lab model and outlines the training and support that California Revealed provides Memory Labs during the course of the Inspiration Grant project period, and beyond.
Resources
So you want to build your own Memory Lab? - a deep dive into the Memory Lab Network training model
Sample Project Planning Form - brainstorm and discuss needs and goals for the Memory Lab
DCPL Memory Lab and LAPL Memory Lab - model programs that support both in-house and mobile Memory Labs
Memory Lab Network’s wiring diagrams, set up, and workflow examples
Sample Inspiration Grant Award Budget Form
The following webinar sessions are available:
Webinar 1: The Memory Lab Model(s): on-site/curbside/mobile
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 2: Memory Lab Goals and Expectations: Formulating a Plan
Pre-webinar homework: complete this planning document for your Memory Lab
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 3: Memory Lab Introduction to Digital Concepts
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 4: Memory Lab Introduction to Audiovisual Preservation
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 5: Memory Lab Equipment Set Up, Workflows and Troubleshooting
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 6: Training Your Memory Lab Staff
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 7: Evaluating Your Memory Lab
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Webinar 8: Sustaining and Expanding Your Memory Lab
Recording is available here and slides (.pdf) are here
Memory Lab Support: Preservation
In addition to providing training for new Memory Labs, California Revealed now offers a program for Memory Labs to provide a way for individuals to share their memories online at californiarevealed.org, and benefit from long-term backup storage of their digital files, preserving memories for the long term and protecting them from disasters.
Economic and social inequity directly impacts the creation and dissemination of information, and the ability for communities and individuals to access and control their own history, heritage, and identity. By providing free access to preservation tools, education, and support, California Revealed wants to empower individuals to contribute their own stories to California’s historical narrative, particularly those whose stories are infrequently heard. Sharing your files with your local Memory Lab is an opportunity to contribute your history to the narrative of California, and help fill in the gaps of the voices who are missing. Your history will be discoverable through the California Revealed website and the Internet Archive for teachers, genealogists, artists, scholars, journalists, and others, to enjoy and integrate into their studies.
Questions?
Questions about the Inspiration Grant Application process?
Contact LSTA Grants: lstagrants@library.ca.gov
Questions about the California Revealed/Memory Lab partnership?
Contact Pamela Vadakan, Director, California Revealed
916.603.6719/pvadakan@californiarevealed.org