Audio Reformatting Lab

Special Collections and University Archives has recently created an audio reformatting lab to preserve and improve access to our historically valuable audio holdings. The lab is currently capable of analog and digital reformatting of audiocassettes and 1/4" reel to reel audiotapes. Digitized audio media is made available to patrons in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Mission Statement:

The Special Collections and University Archives Audio Reformatting Lab is responsible for the arrangement, description, preservation and delivery of historically valuable audio media. To that end it is responsible for the ongoing reformatting of audio records to ensure their continued accessibility in support of teaching and research at Stanford and beyond. The Special Collections and University Archives Audio Reformatting Lab works routinely with a wide array of historically important and non-commercial audio resources in both analog and digital form.

The Lab is a production unit that works directly with its research constituents to provide access to audio resources while ensuring the long-term survival of these resources. The Special Collections and University Archives Audio Reformatting Lab will provide reformatting services to other SU/LAIR media rich collections. Special Collections and University Archive holdings are primarily of spoken word and verbal performance associated with historical figures and literary works in close alignment with the collection development policies for Special Collections. The Special Collections and University Archives Audio Reformatting Lab, in collaboration with the Digital Services Group (DSG), takes a leading role in developing new methodologies for both preserving and providing accessibility to audio resources for Stanford scholars and beyond.