Support Us Button Widget

Richmond Public Library gets $900,000 to expand Memory Lab

RPL won the grant from the Mellon Foundation and will use funds over five years

RICtoday_MainLibrary_RichmondPublicLibrary

The Main Library is home to the only Memory Lab in Central Virginia.

Photo by RICtoday

The Richmond Public Library will soon have $900,000 to expand and modernize the Memory Lab at the Main Branch.

Main’s Memory Lab is part of the national Memory Lab Network, which began at the DC Public Library to increase community and personal archiving projects.

The $900,000 grant will be used over five years to build up the services and equipment available at the RPL Memory Lab. According to Library Board of Trustee Chris Peterson, it is the largest grant the library has ever received.

In addition to increasing access for the public, the money will help RPL digitize a large amount of city records and historic documents, including donated yearbooks, items from local clubs and civic organizations, and out of print periodicals.

RICtoday_RichmondPublicLibrary_MemoryLab

You can use the Memory Lab’s resources to digitize family documents, old photos, and more.

Photo via Richmond Public Library

Right now at the lab, Richmonders can learn how to digitize materials, conduct oral histories, and preserve items — whether that’s a collection of family photographs, home movies on VHS, or a series of old letters.

Want to get started on a project now? The lab is located to the right of the welcome desk at Main Library. You can also book time in advance to use equipment and consult with a staff member.

The Mellon Foundation made headlines last year for its round of Richmond-based grants totaling more than $16 million. Recipients last year included the city, the JXN Project, and The Valentine. The Memory Lab grant comes from the foundation’s Public Knowledge program.

More from RICtoday
Throw on your best detective outfit and help solve this case that is full of riddles and puzzles at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond.
The multi-sport race will be held at 11 different parks across Virginia in spring 2025 in Richmond.
Make your voice heard, nominate your favorite local biz and they could win RICtoday’s Best Competition.
We rounded up a handful of local spots for bookworms to browse.
Super Bowl LIX is on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. featuring the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, and there are plenty of Virginia connections for both teams.
February 2025 features three rivalry games for VCU men’s basketball, and we’re diving into each one’s history.
At these miniature art galleries around Richmond, you can take a piece of art or leave one for your neighbors to enjoy.
Artificial intelligence is seemingly everywhere in the modern day, and we honed its powers to halfheartedly roast Richmond for its quirks.
Bookmark this page to your favorites tab so you can quickly return and find the top events happening each month in Richmond.
Richmond is one of the top beer cities in the US and these locally owned breweries are helping put the beer scene on the map.