You can now tour the Memory Depot from the comfort of your own home! Below, you will find an orientation overview video, followed by two instructional videos, the first for the VHS Transfer Station and the second for the Scanner Station.
We strongly recommend that you watch our virtual orientation videos (or sign up for an in-person orientation) before registering for a session at the Memory Depot!
An orientation is intended to introduce you to the workings of the Memory Depot's do it yourself (DIY) equipment and stations. Please take advantage of these videos to familiarize yourself with how to use the VHS Transfer Station and the Scanner Station.
An in-person orientation introduces you to all the Memory Depot's equipment; the Scanner Station, the VHS Transfer Station, 3.5" Floppy Disk Transfer Device and Audio Cassette Transfer Device (as well as Vinyl transfer at CE only). For the option to learn about the Memory Depot in a branch, click on the adjacent tab 'In-Person Orientations'.
Please also be aware that some instructions for the transfer devices may not be exactly the same from one Memory Depot location to another due to:
variations in equipment
recent software updates
An orientation is intended to introduce you to the workings of the Memory Depot's do it yourself (DIY) equipment and stations; the Scanner Station, the VHS Transfer Station, 3.5" Floppy Disk Transfer Device and Audio Cassette Transfer Device (as well as Vinyl transfer at CE only). In-person orientations will cover all available equipment in a single session.
Click on the adjacent tab 'Virtual Orientations' to learn about the VHS Transfer Station and the Scanner Station from home!
Customers with very limited technology skills may want to sign up and attend an in-person orientation with a friend or family member. Since we are now able to offer virtual orientations, in-person orientations may be held infrequently. Check the schedule on FCPL's Events page to see where and when in-person orientations are available. Search for the words "Memory Depot Orientation." You may find that not all orientations will require registration.
Please be aware that some instructions for the transfer devices may not be exactly the same from one Memory Depot location to another due to:
variations in equipment
recent software updates
Remember, the Memory Depot is a do it yourself (DIY) station, so we strongly recommend that you sign up for an in-person orientation or watch our online orientation videos before registering for a session at the Memory Depot. Customers with very limited technology skills may want to consider bringing a friend or family member to help them.
When you sign up to use the Memory Depot, you will be signing up to use one station at a time. You can register for a session to use either the Scanner Station for photographs, slides, negatives and other archival documents or to use the VHS Transfer Station for VHS or VHS-C cassettes or to use the 3.5" Floppy Disk Transfer Device to digitize floppy disk documents or to use the Audio Cassette Transfer Device to digitize audio cassettes or to use the Vinyl Transfer Station (CE only) to digitize your LPs. Reservations are limited to one session per day and no more than two per week; reservations may be booked as many as 30 days ahead of time. You may reserve a session for a minimum of one hour, but no more than three hours. To reserve a session, please select the branch below to be guided to the reservation site.
City of Fairfax Regional Library
If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to contact a branch directly.
CE: Call the Centreville Information Desk at 703-830-2223, ext. 4.
FX: Call the Virginia Room Information Desk at 703-293-6227, ext. 6.
GM: Call the George Mason Information Desk at 703-256-3800, ext.4.
PO: Call the Pohick Information Desk at 703-644-7333, ext. 4.
RR: Call the Reston Information Desk at 703-689-2700, ext. 4.
SH: Call the Sherwood Information Desk at 703-765-3645, ext. 4.
If you need to step away from the computer, click on the image of the clock and select Lock PC in the Personal Session Manager box. This will prevent anyone from trying to access the computer while you aren't sitting there. When you return, sign-in with the number and password on your guest pass to unlock the computer. If you have any questions, please ask a staff member. Minimize the Personal Session Manager box again to continue working.
You will get 40 minute, 20 minute and 10 minute warnings as your session draws to a close. Wrap up your project! We cannot extend your time. Close any open program or browser windows on the computer when you are finished.
As part of the Library’s mission of providing access to information of all types, use of the Memory Depot is open to all library users. Please read this policy prior to using the Memory Depot equipment. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THE MEMORY DEPOT EQUIPMENT.
Subject to this Acceptable Use Agreement, you may use the Memory Depot to convert legacy video and photographic material to current formats for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not use the Memory Depot to reproduce any content if reproduction would infringe the property rights of any party. The Library assumes no responsibility and you assume all risk regarding the determination of whether your reproduction of material using the Memory Depot may infringe on the property rights of another. Use of the Memory Depot equipment is self-service and at your own risk. The Library is not responsible for any damages that may occur to a user’s equipment or materials in connection with his or her use of library equipment. Further, the Library makes no representations or warranties regarding equipment use or performance.
Failure to comply with these acceptable uses will result in loss of equipment privileges at the Fairfax County Public Library.
