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Our new “Digitization Station” allows  you to convert old media (VHS tapes, filmstrips, & cassettes, etc.) into digital files.  Photos fade, formats become obsolete. Whether you’re safeguarding a family video, or scanning a box of letters, our Digitization Station helps turn your precious materials into shareable memories.

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Appointments are free and staff are here to guide you. Call 973-566-6200 ext. 219 or email reference@bloomfield.bccls.org for more information or to make an appointment. You can also fill out a Digitization Station registration form ahead of time and drop it off at the Reference Desk in the Main Library. 

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HOW IT WORKS:

• Schedule an appointment

• Bring your materials

• Digitization Process

• Take home your digital copies

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WHAT YOU CAN DIGITIZE:

• Photographs

• Negatives

• Slides

• Filmstrips

• VHS tapes

• Cassettes

• Vinyl Records

• Files from SD Card

• Files from Floppy disks

• Paper documents

 

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​WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• Headphones if you intend to transfer music or videos 

• Free time = Digitization happens in real time. If your video                                                     is an hour, it will take an hour to transfer.

• Storage Drive of sufficient capacity

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Disclaimer: 
Some of your original media may be fragile and there is a real risk that damage could occur during the digitization process. Your material (especially VHS tapes, cassettes or filmstrips) may not survive the process.  The library cannot be held responsible for any harm to items brought in for scanning. We kindly ask that you do not bring in anything for scanning that you consider irreplaceable or too precious to risk.

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If your media does survive, do not throw it out. You may need or want to scan it again at some future point as digitization technology improves. Also, back up your new digitized file(s) immediately on another storage device to safeguard against accidental loss or  device failure.  We will not be keeping a copy of your material, so make sure you have it safely recorded and backed up.

 

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, through funds administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.

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