Palo Alto Library’s Free Vintage Media Lab Converts Old Photos, VHS, Film and Cassettes

PALO ALTO — November 2, 2026. Palo Alto City Library offers free bookable equipment to digitize family photographs, slides, film reels, video tapes, cassettes and records at its Vintage Media Lab.

Which branches host equipment

The city library identifies Mitchell Park and Rinconada as its Vintage Media Lab locations. November appointments include sessions on November 4 at Mitchell Park and other dates at Rinconada.

Time limits and responsibilities

A borrower may reserve one two-hour session per week. The library says users must organize and clean their own materials, remain with them while digitizing and take them home at the end of the appointment; staff will not keep items and do the scanning later.

What visitors need

Bring original media and a suitable flash drive, memory card, laptop or external storage. Some film equipment uses microSD cards, and older formats may take real time to capture. The library warns that appointments may be in high demand.

Official sources

Palo Alto City Library — Vintage Media Lab and November Appointment Calendar.

California58 local reporting. Check registration, space availability and official conditions before acting.

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