The Illinois Heartland Library System’s new Mobile Memory Lab project aims to engage the public to share our rich local history beyond county and state borders. The Mobile Memory Lab partners with libraries across the IHLS service area to host Digitization Days. The Hayner Genealogy & Local History Library has the distinct honor of being one of the very first Mobile Memory Lab host libraries. Community members can bring items such as photographs, letters, diaries, and small objects to be digitized at the library. Once items are scanned or photographed, patrons can provide the date, location, and story accompanying each item via a web form. Patrons may provide contact information to receive an email copy of all digital files, and they will be given archival supplies with tips for storing items at home. After each Mobile Memory Lab program, the IHLS Metadata Cataloger will attach patron-provided metadata to digitized items and upload each collection to the Illinois Digital Archives. The Illinois Digital Archives is a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library and other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois. Hayner Library uses the Illinois Digital Archives to provide access to our rich photograph collection.

Please call Lacy McDonald at (618) 433-2859 or email genealogy@haynerlibrary.org to register for your time slot!