Skip to Main Content
Fairfax County logo

Memory Depot

Digitize Your Memories Last Updated: Sep 7, 2023 3:53 PM

Orientations & Reservations

VIRTUAL ORIENTATIONS!

 

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

Orientation Overview

 

VHS Transfer Orientation

 

Scanner Station Orientation

IN-PERSON ORIENTATIONS!

 

We strongly recommend that you sign up for an in-person orientation (or watch our virtual orientation videos) 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; 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

REGISTER FOR A SESSION AT THE MEMORY DEPOT  

(1) Scanner Station or (2) VHS Transfer Station or (3) 3.5" Floppy Disk Transfer Device or (4) Audio Cassette Transfer Device or (5) Vinyl Transfer Station [CE only].

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.

Centreville Regional Library

City of Fairfax Regional Library

George Mason Regional Library

Pohick Regional Library

Reston Regional Library

Sherwood 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.

Logging On and Off of a Memory Depot Computer

Start at the Staff Desk.

  1. Go to the staff desk. Let staff know if you have registered for the Scanner Station, VHS Transfer Station, 3.5" Floppy Disk Transfer Device or the Audio Cassette Transfer Device.
  2. A Memory Depot dedicated computer is not necessary for the 3.5" Floppy Disk Transfer Device or the Audio Cassette Transfer Device. Simply request the appropriate equipment. Return everything to the staff desk when you are finished or your session time is up, whichever comes first!
  3. For the Scanner or VHS Stations, staff will sign you on to your Memory Depot computer. Proceed to the Memory Depot and have a seat at the appropriate computer station. Proceed with the the following instructions to Log On.

Log On

  1. Minimize or close the Internet browser window so that you can access the icons for the Memory Depot equipment on the desktop! Minimize the Personal Session Manager box that will appear in the middle of the screen so that you can view the entire desktop. The Personal Session Manager can then be accessed on the taskbar at the bottom left side of the screen by clicking on the image of the clock.

Lock PC

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.

Log Off

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.

  • To finish your session, log off the computer by clicking on the image of the clock on the taskbar at the bottom left side of the screen. The Personal Session Manager will appear in the middle of the screen again. Click End Session. Another box will have a message that asks, "Are you sure you want to end your session now?" Click Yes and your session at the Memory Depot will come to an end.
  • NO files are kept on this computer after your session ends and you are logged off the computer. Make sure your files are saved to your device before you log off! Remember to take your originals with you when you leave - check the area around you!

Acceptable Use of the Memory Depot

by the Fairfax County Public Library (May 2018)


Purpose & Eligibility

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.
 

Authorized Use and Acceptance of Risk

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.

Fairfax County seal