Preserve Your History at the Memory Lab!
The New Haven Memory Lab is a collaborative initiative between the New Haven Free Public Library and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. As part of the Beinecke’s New Haven Community Archives Support program, the Memory Lab empowers New Haven residents to preserve their personal, family, and organizational archives for future generations.
Why Preserve Your Records?
Our personal and collective histories are documented through the records we create and maintain. Yet, only a small portion of these records survive, with even fewer making their way into libraries, archives, and museums. Often, these preserved records represent the voices of the prominent and powerful, leaving everyday stories untold.
The choices we make about what to keep, how to store it, and how to share it impact whether our stories remain accessible over time. The Memory Lab offers a way to safeguard your legacy by creating digital copies of cherished documents and photos, ensuring they endure for years to come.
What Can You Do at the Memory Lab?
Digitization creates digital copies of physical items, providing:
- Backups in case original materials are lost
- Easy sharing online or in print
- Creative opportunities for reuse and display
Currently, the Memory Lab supports the digitization of:
- Photographic prints, negatives, and slides
- Photo albums and scrapbooks
- Printed documents
- Books, pamphlets, and other bound materials
Equipment
The New Haven Memory Lab offers state-of-the-art, user-friendly equipment to help you archive your cherished memories. Certification is required for independent use of these machines. Please connect with Ives Squared staff for more information.
Looking Ahead
Expansion plans are underway for the Memory Lab to include an audiovisual digitization station, allowing for the preservation of various audio and video tape formats.
Safeguard your history today with the New Haven Memory Lab—your stories matter, and the Memory Lab helps ensure they last.