Fall is a time for festivals, apple orchards and their donuts, pumpkin spice, and family gatherings. It is a time when families come together, and memories are shared through photos, videos, sound recordings, and even 8mm film. However, pictures tend to become brittle, yellow, or fall apart, VHS and audio tapes break or fade, and 8mm film, if not stored properly, will also fade or become damaged.

Preserving these precious memories is not just about avoiding the elements. It's also about taking simple yet crucial steps to ensure they remain intact and identifiable. Avoid storing them in places where humidity, dust, mold, and extreme temperature changes are present, such as in an attic or basement. Make copies and distribute them among family members. Label everything, as tapes can be recorded over, and photos can be misidentified. Store pictures in acid-free sleeves or folders, and label them in pencil for added protection. 

While there are many ways to preserve photos, videos, sound recordings, and 8mm film and negatives, one of the best ways to preserve these fragile memories is to digitize them. RELIC will soon take appointments for our new Preservation lab. You will be able to scan photos, digitize sound and video recordings, as well as negatives and 8mm film. To learn more, contact RELIC at LibRELIC@pwcgov.org.