The equipment contained in this kit allows for the creation of preservation and access copies of cassette tape and CD audio content for greater visibility, and to minimize the need to handle and play from the original analog format, thus prolonging its life.
Audience
The kit is designed to be used by staff at libraries and cultural heritage organizations that wish to digitize audio content stored on cassette tapes and CDs in order to extend online access to audio content held in their collections, and contribute to the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) (and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)).


Contents
- 1 1” white resource kit binder containing:
- 1 gold key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents
- 1 binder pouch containing EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software CD
- Tape 2 PC Quick Start Guide
- 1 Clipboard
- 1 Clear Plastic Pouch containing:
- 1 USB Cord, labelled for use with Tape 2 PC Converter
- 1 USB Cord, labelled for use with External CD/DVD Drive
- 1 RCA Cable, for optional use with external speakers
- 1 Tape 2 PC Converter
- 1 External CD/DVD Drive
- 1 1TB External Hard Drive (with case)
- 1 USB Cord
- 1 Laptop Computer
- 1 DC Power Cord
- Laminated Reference Guide
- Unpacking & Repacking the Kit
Downloadables
Further Reading
Digital Capture & Digital Audio Preservation
- NARA Audio Guidance, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 2016
- NDSA’s Levels of Digital Preservation, National Digital Stewardship Alliance, 2018
- Digital Preservation Handbook, Digital Preservation Coalition, 2015
- Minimum Digitization Capture Recommendations, The Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), 2013
- Best Practices and Planning for Digitization Projects, WebJunction, July 2010
- Oral History in the Digital Age, Michigan State University, 2017
Vendor Recommendations for Digital Audio Capture & Preservation
- AMIA Supplier Directory: A Global Directory of Services and Suppliers of Audiovisual Media from the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA)
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works In “Basic Search”, use the drop-down menu under “Select the Type of Conservation” and choose “Electronic Media.”
- Oral History Online – Indexing and transcription tool
- Rev.com – Transcription, caption, and translation services
- Understanding Copyright, DPLA, 2015
- Rightsstatements.org
- Webinar. RightsStatements.org: Why We Need It, What It Is (and Isn’t) and What Does It Mean? Part 1 and Part 2
- Society of American Archivists Guide to Implementing Rights Statements from Rightsstatements.org
Documentation
- Examples of Oral History Release Form, Project Participant Form (something that can capture basic biographical info about a person), etc.
Cataloging and Metadata
- Using Metadata to Describe Digital Content, DPLA, 2015
Templates
Metadata Worksheets (XLS)
Includes worksheets for Required and Recommended Fields, Omeka CSV Import, and Generic CSV Import.
Audio Conversion Kit Feedback Form (PDF)
Help & Support
General Kit Support
For questions about borrowing, delivery, or return of the kit, contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.
Audio Conversion Support
For questions or assistance with the use of hardware, software, or documentation found within the Audio Conversion Kit, contact:
Amy Hitchner
Metadata and Integration Services Consultant
ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org