Welcome to the JCGS Memory Lab
The Memory Lab is a free, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) digitization space dedicated to helping community members preserve, convert, and safeguard personal family histories before older physical media degrades. Located at the Central Resource Branch of the Johnson County Library, the lab is fully supported and run by passionate, knowledgeable volunteers from the Johnson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) alongside library staff.
Need to Cancel or Have an Urgent Question?
Short-Notice Cancellations & Same-Day Questions: Please call or text our direct lab line at 816-509-6513 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) so we can quickly reopen the slot for another patron.
General Inquiries: The Memory Lab is extremely popular, and appointments fill up quickly. Reservations open on a strict rolling 30-day window. We highly recommend checking back regularly, as canceled slots open back up immediately.
Support the Memory Lab
If you enjoy using the Memory Lab, there is absolutely no obligation, but any support is always deeply appreciated! Donations of any size go a long way in helping us handle routine equipment maintenance and hardware replacements to keep things running smoothly. If you would like to chip in, you can find a direct link to donate to our JCGS Memory Lab here: Donate to the JCGS Memory Lab.
What Can You Convert in the Memory Lab?
The lab provides the specialized hardware, software, and adapters needed to digitize a wide variety of family media. Our JCGS volunteers will help you set up your station, but you will run the equipment yourself to convert.
- Photos, Documents & Scrapbooks: Standard prints, Polaroids, fragile vintage photos, letters. oversized maps (up to 11"x17"), and intact scrapbook pages (up to 12" wide).
- Slides & Film Negatives: 35mm slides, plus 35mm, 110, 120, 126, and 127 film negatives.
- Video Tapes: Standard VHS, compact VHS-C, 8mm video (Video8), standard audio cassettes, and personal DVDs.
Need specific hardware details? For a complete breakdown of specific scanner models, software features, and step-by-step conversion capabilities for each format listed above, please visit our dedicated Memory Lab Equipment & Capabilities Page.
Step 1: Watch the Required Orientation Video
The orientation video is required viewing before your session. We strongly recommend watching before booking your appointment so you know exactly how the stations operate.
Step 2: Check Your Media requirements
To protect our high-speed scanning equipment and ensure the best possible digital files for our family, everything brought into the lab must meet these safety criteria:
- No Copyrighted Material: We can only digitize personal family media. No commercial movies, professional studio portraits, or copy-protected items.
- Completely Clean: All items must be entirely free of dust, dirt, and mold.
- No Metal or Fasteners: Please remove all staples, paperclips, rubber bands, and pins before arriving at the lab.
- Zero Sticky Residue: Ensure there is no wet clue or old adhesive on the backs of your photos, as this will permanently ruin the high-speed rollers.
Step 3: Bring the Right Storage Drive
You must bring your own storage device to take your new digital files home on.
- Recommended: A newer USB 3.xflash drive or a portable External SSD for fast transfer speeds.
- Format Check: Ensure your drive is formatted as ExFat or NIFS. Drives formatted exclusively for Mac (APFS) cannot be read by the lab's Windows 11 laptops.
- Pro Tip: Because Windows 11 occasionally has trouble recognizing certain older portable external hard drives, always bring a standard USB thumb drive as a backout storage device.