Memory Lab Network

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has extended DC Public Library's Memory Lab Network to fund a grand total of 16 library partners. The application for our third and final cohort is open! Partners will be selected by the project Advisory Board to receive funding for equipment, training, and one-on-one mentoring to build a Memory Lab in their community. More information on the application and process can be found here.

Applications due: Friday February 4, 2022
Award notifications: Monday March 7, 2022

What's a Memory Lab?
A “do-it-yourself” program consisting of three key components: a lab with equipment for transferring audio and video and scanning photographs, documents, and slides in a public computing space; digital preservation class curricula and training for the public; and a website with equipment and workflow instructions and resources for long-term storage and preservation of analog and digital materials.

What's the Memory Lab Network?
In spring 2017, the Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded DC Public Library (DCPL) a National Leadership Grant to build Memory Lab preservation programs in public libraries across the U.S. based on the DCPL Memory Lab model. All Memory Lab Network partners receive training, mentoring and financial support to create digitization stations and curricula to build public knowledge and skills around the complex and paralyzing problems of personal digital archiving through their own Memory Lab programs. The project will result in open documentation and training materials for future implementations of the Memory Lab model on a global scale.

How long is the Memory Lab Network project?
Over one year beginning in March 2022, two staff members at each partner library will dedicate a combined 10 hours weekly to building the lab, teaching classes, and contributing to the project. The library is responsible for maintaining the lab once the project has ended in March of 2023. You can learn more about the project here.