Mobile Memory Lab
A Memory Lab enables individuals to contribute old documents and photographs to the cultural record, enriching our collective histories.
WHY WE ARE DOING THIS
An individual’s old documents and photographs are often the primary connection they have to their roots and history. These artifacts enrich our cultural record yet are often stored away and even forgotten. While the Boston Public Library provides institutions with digitization services of old documents and photographs to facilitate an archive, the general public rarely has the opportunity to preserve their memories this way. This year, we supported the launch of the BPL’s Mobile Memory Lab to help all people in Boston digitize their histories. Attendees bring photos and documents, pass them through a preservation-grade scanner, and leave with their files on a complimentary flash drive. They also have the option to donate their files to Digital Commonwealth, through which the BPL is creating a new collection for community history.
WHAT WE DID
We collected input about user experiences from Memory Labs from other cities, and BPL created a pilot to test the first version of the Mobile Memory Lab. BPL hosted a Community Scanning Day to try it out.
LESSONS LEARNED
- A welcome with clear instructions to accompany the Mobile Memory Lab is important. Staff to support the public will be important for the success of the scanning.
- Ongoing, proactive programming is needed to bring the Memory Lab to as many people as possible.
