Media conversion stations

Digitise your memories using the Brisbane City Council media conversion stations located at Carindale Library and Chermside Library.

Media suitable for conversion

The following types of media can be digitised:

  • audio cassettes
  • film negatives (35 millimetres, medium format, 4x5 inches)
  • floppy disks
  • historical documents
  • photographic prints (up to A4)
  • slides
  • VHS tapes

The media conversion station is currently unable to digitise Beta/Betamax video tapes, Super 8mm and 16mm film, camcorder tapes (including MiniDV, Hi8 and others), vinyl records, digital video discs (DVD) and compact discs (CD).

Is there a cost to use the equipment?

There is no cost to use the equipment, but you will need a USB stick or portable hard drive to save your digital files.

What skills do I need to use the equipment?

You need intermediate computer skills to operate a Windows computer.

If you are not confident using computers, we recommend bringing someone to help you.

Book a training session

Join a group information session at Carindale Library or Chermside Library before booking the media conversion station for the first time. In this session, library staff will provide an overview of the equipment and offer opportunities to use it. 

Book a media conversion station

You can book a media conversion station for up to three hours to digitise your items. Book ahead to ensure availability.

To book:

What to bring

Bring your items for digitisation and a USB memory stick drive (minimum 8 gigabytes) or portable hard drive to save your media. Libraries do not have storage devices available for purchase.

Make sure your items do not contain any mould, as this damages equipment and items other customers bring to digitise.

Step-by-step instructions 

At the media conversion stations you will find step-by-step instructions to help you use the equipment. Library staff will complete a brief orientation and answer your initial questions, but are not able to scan your items, or stay with you for the whole session. 

How long does it take to scan an item?

Scanning and saving files such as photos and documents takes approximately one minute per item. Audio cassettes and VHS tapes will need to play all the way through in real time to be recorded. 

You must be in attendance for the whole digitisation process.

Terms and conditions of media conversion station use

  1. Check copyright
    It is your responsibility to ensure you have appropriate copyright approval to reproduce and digitise your items. Visit the Australian Copyright Council website for further information and fact sheets.
     
  2.  Liability
    Be aware that use of a media conversion station is at your risk. Brisbane City Council is not liable for any damage to, loss or erasure of data from any media you bring to digitise at a media conversion station.

    If you materials are fragile or precious, consider taking them to a professional scanning service. A professional service provider may also be better suited to a larger collection of items.

    Library staff have the right to end any session and/or delete any recording that is deemed inappropriate.

Media conversion station events

Sat 20 Apr 2024, 10:00am
Free

Are you interested in converting your photographs, videos, cassettes, film negatives, slides or floppy disks into digital files? Join this session to find out...

Carindale Library, Westfield Carindale, 1151 Creek Road (near Millennium Boulevard), Carindale

Fri 26 Apr 2024, 1:00pm
Free

Are you interested in converting your photographs, videos, cassettes, film negatives, slides or floppy disks into digital files? Join this session to find out...

Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside

Tue 21 May 2024, 1:00pm
Free

Are you interested in converting your photographs, videos, cassettes, film negatives, slides or floppy disks into digital files? Join this session to find out...

Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside

Fri 24 May 2024, 10:00am
Free

Are you interested in converting your photographs, videos, cassettes, film negatives, slides or floppy disks into digital files? Join this session to find out...

Carindale Library, Westfield Carindale, 1151 Creek Road (near Millennium Boulevard), Carindale

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Topics: libraries

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