YORKTOWN — York County Public Library has announced a new service to digitize VHS tapes for its patrons.
The service, called Memory Lane, offers patrons (in good standing with the library) to bring home VHS tapes and a minimum of a 5 gigabyte (GB) flash drive to have their VHS tapes digitized.
Patrons can drop off their home VHS tapes along with the flash drive (or purchase an 8GB flash drive at the Tabb Library Reference Department for $5) and the staff will use an analog to digital VHS tape converter software in order to preserve patrons’ home videos. Patrons have been asked to only drop off one videotape at a time and no more than three a month.
The library can only convert home VHS tapes. Due to U.S. Copyright Law as well as other laws regarding trademarks, patents and proprietary use, commercially produced VHS tapes will not be converted. Additionally, the library reserves the right to deny use of the equipment or service for materials that are deemed inappropriate or illegal.
According to Ashley Jellison, York County Public Libraries programming and outreach librarian, Memory Lane was initially supposed to be available in early 2020 but was postponed due the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the library was able to introduce it last week.
“Our goal is to include additional conversion services over time as part of a larger effort to promote and preserve our local history,” said Jellison.
To learn more about the service, patrons are asked to either email the Reference Department at Tabb Library or call (757) 890-5120.