The following article was written by Lisa Devins-Horohoe, a Public Services Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
If you have a box of old slides or film negatives tucked away in a closet, basement, or attic, maybe it’s time to see what’s inside! Manitowoc Public Library is hosting another Digital Film Scanner Badging Session on Thursday, August 13, from 5:30-7 PM in the First Floor Idea Box makerspace and it’s a great opportunity to finally do something with those old memories.
This Badging session will introduce participants to Manitowoc Public Library’s Film Archiving Kit. You might think of the library as a place to check out books, but we also have some pretty cool technology that can help you preserve the things you already have at home—including those mysterious boxes of photographs and slides that haven’t seen the light of day in years!
Let’s be honest: most of us have a box like that tucked away somewhere. You know the one I mean—the box that hasn’t been opened since approximately 1998. Inside might be old photographs, slides, or film negatives from family vacations, holidays, birthdays, graduations, or just everyday moments that seemed ordinary at the time but are pretty special now.
That’s where Manitowoc Public Library’s Film Archiving Kit comes in.
During the Digital Film Scanner Badging Session, library staff will walk you through how to use the Film Archiving Kit to turn old slides and film negatives into digital images. You don’t need to be a technology expert, and you certainly don’t need any previous experience with digitizing film. We’ll show you how it works and give you a chance to try it out yourself.
Lisa Devins-Horohoe
Once you complete the training, you’ll be “badged,” which means you can come back to the library and use the Film Archiving Kit on your own whenever you would like during regular operating hours.
Digitizing those images makes it much easier to preserve and share them. You can send them to family members, create a photo book, save them to your computer, or simply make sure those memories don’t disappear as the years go by.
If you have slides or filmstrip negatives sitting around waiting for their moment, bring them along! Participants should bring their own slide or filmstrip negative to use during the training.
The Digital Film Scanner Badging Session takes place Thursday, August 13, from 5:30-7 PM in the Idea Box at Manitowoc Public Library. Registration is required, space is limited, and the session is open to adults aged 18 and older. Head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/digital-film-scanner-badging-session-30281 to secure your spot!
So, go find that mysterious box. Dust it off. See what’s inside. You might be surprised at the memories you’ve been keeping tucked away.
I’ll see you in the Idea Box!
