Family memories live in many forms; home movies on VHS tapes, mixtapes recorded on cassettes, photo slides tucked into boxes or vinyl records passed down through generations. Unfortunately, these formats weren’t built to last forever. Over time, media degrades, and the devices needed to play it become harder to find. Without preservation, irreplaceable recordings and images risk becoming unusable.
Public libraries are uniquely positioned to address this challenge. Digitization of legacy media remains one of the most meaningful and consistently valued technology services libraries provide, especially for genealogists, local historians, artists, students and families preserving personal heritage. By offering access to specialized equipment and guidance, libraries help ensure that community stories survive technological change.
That’s why Arapahoe Libraries offers an increasingly popular and meaningful service: the Digital Media Station.
This free, self-service technology empowers community members to take control of their own preservation projects by converting old media into modern digital formats that are easier to view, store, back up and share. Patrons can use the Digital Media Stations to preserve family histories, digitize oral-history recordings, access legacy formats and safeguard materials that might otherwise be lost to time.
In today’s digital landscape, preservation also connects to broader library goals such as digital literacy, equitable access to technology and lifelong learning. The Digital Media Station reflects the library’s evolving role, not only as a place to consume information, but as a place to create, preserve, and pass it on.
Why the library offers this service
Many patrons have priceless recordings; wedding videos, childhood voice messages, family films or rare local footage trapped on formats that are rapidly deteriorating or already obsolete. The Digital Media Station exists to bridge that gap.
By providing access to specialized equipment at no cost, the library supports:
- Personal and family preservation
- Digital literacy and lifelong learning
- Equitable access to technology
- Community and local history preservation
Whether you’re archiving decades of family history, preserving analog music collections or simply making old media usable again, the Digital Media Station puts powerful preservation tools directly in your hands.
Preserving the people’s history and expanding services
One of the most inspiring outcomes of the Digital Media Station is how it transforms everyday people into historians of their own lives. Many patrons, after completing their projects, choose to donate playback equipment; VCRs, camcorders, turntables, reel-to-reel players and more, which helps expand services across the library district.
Others generously donate digitized photos, slides and home movies that capture local places, events and daily life. With permission, some these materials become part of the library’s Online Digital Archive, preserving community history for researchers, students and future generations.
Unlike traditional archives focused on institutions or major events, these grassroots contributions reveal the texture of everyday life; a neighborhood parade, a long-gone grocery store, or a summer afternoon in a city park. These stories matter, and without communication and intentional preservation, they might disappear forever. If you have historical photos, slides, or films documenting local life and settings, we invite you to consider donating those memories.
What the Digital Media Station can do
Each Digital Media Station is equipped to convert a wide range of formats into widely supported digital files such as MP3 and MP4.
Every station includes a clearly organized tutorial binder, and step-by-step guides are available online. Library staff are happy to help you get started, troubleshoot issues or set you up with a free 30-minute appointment through Ask a Librarian.
Supported media formats
Video
- VHS
- VHS-C
- Hi8, Digital8, and MiniDV
- 8mm and Super8 film
Audio
- Cassette tapes
- Vinyl records (LPs, 45s, 78 RPM)
- Microcassette*
Images
- Photographs (up to 8.5" x 14")
- Slides
- Negatives
Documents
- Text-based materials up to 8.5" x 14". (Up to 11” x 17” using our copy station.)
Specialized media formats and equipment access
In addition to the more common formats, media such as Betamax, U-Matic, Betacam and reel-to-reel tapes can also be digitized.
Due to the limited availability of the specialized equipment required to play these unique formats, as well as the technical complexities involved, including cables, analog-to-digital converters, and the physical size and weight of the machines, these items are only accessible at the Eloise May Library.
Patrons interested in using these resources are asked to submit an Ask a Librarian request to arrange access and get assistance with setup.
Digitizing at home with equipment for check out
Many devices used at the Digital Media Stations, such as scanners and video or cassette converters, are also available for checkout through the library catalog.
After getting familiar with the equipment in the library, patrons can continue projects at home. Free software downloads are required, and online tutorials walk you through the setup.
Using the Digital Media Station
Using the station is free and open to everyone. No library card required.
Get started
- Reserve a station online or by calling 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).
- Reservations are limited to three hours per day per user.
- Bring your media (tapes, reels, records, photos, etc.).
- Bring your own storage device. For video projects, at least 16 GB (gigabytes) of storage is recommended.
- Follow the tutorials provided at the station or online.
- Plan to stay. Most transfers occur in real time.
- Take your digitized memories home to back up, edit and share.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Digital Media Station? The Digital Media Stations at Arapahoe Libraries are equipped with tools to convert old media into digital formats or create new digital content using professional software such as Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Do I need a library card? No.
- How much does it cost? These spaces and tools are free to use. You only need to bring your own storage device.
- How long does digitization take? Transfers happen in real time. A two-hour VHS tape takes two hours to convert.
- Can I leave while it’s working? No. Patrons should remain with their materials during the entire session.
- Does the library keep a copy of my files? No. The library does not store or retain copies.
- How can I save my media? You can save your digital files on: flash/thumb drives, portable hard drives, personal cloud storage accounts, CDs or DVDs.
- What if I don’t have a USB drive? Check with library staff. We might have extras.
Tips for successful digitization
- Clean dust and debris from your media before your visit.
- Bring an extra USB drive for backup.
- Label files clearly as you save them.
- Plan multiple visits if you have a large collection.
- Take your time. Preservation is worth doing carefully.
The Digital Media Station is more than technology, it’s a bridge between generations, formats and stories. It helps reconnect families with forgotten recordings, rescues memories from failing media and ensures that personal and community histories remain accessible in a digital world. Memories are worth preserving and Arapahoe Libraries is here to assist you.
You can reserve a spot at the Digital Media Station closest to you online, contacting the library or submitting an Ask a Librarian request.
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