Convert-O-Lab
The Convert-O-Lab (COL) is a self-service collection of equipment for digitizing older media formats so they can be preserved and enjoyed today.
The COL has two bookable stations: Video Tape Station and Scanning Station
- Maximum of 2 reservations on the calendar at a time
- Limit of one reservation per day
- Maximum reservation time is 2 hours (although you can stay longer than your reservation if no one else is waiting)
Click on the icons below to place a reservation or visit our FAQ page for more information.
Formats you can digitize:
Video Tape Formats*
- VHS / VHS-C (smaller version of VHS)
- SVHS / SVHS-C (smaller version of SVHS)
- Digital 8, Video 8 (used in camcorders) - NOT Hi8/8mm
- MiniDV (used in Sony MiniDV camcorders)
* Video tapes from overseas may be encoded in PAL format which our player CANNOT play
Slides, photo prints & negatives
- Slide film
- Film negatives
- Images up to 12" x 17"
- Rapid scanning of smaller photographs
To use a COL station
- Book a reservation online for Video Tape Station or the Scanning Station (or call us at 507 328-2309)
- Reservations can be made up to a total of 2 hours/day, two active reservations allowed in the next 60 day period.
- Reservations can be made up to a total of 2 hours/day, two active reservations allowed in the next 60 day period.
- Bring a flash drive, portable hard drive (formatted for Windows - NOT Mac) or SD card to save your digitized files. No other formats are supported (see FAQ for more information).
- Check in at the Reference Desk a few minutes before your reservation time so library staff can get you logged in.
- Follow step-by-step instructions at the COL station for digitizing your media.