See your project libguide for information on what to bring with you to work on your project. Bring a USB Drive or have a Cloud Storage account that you can save to. If you are working on large digital video, audio, or high definition image projects, you may need a significant amount of storage space.
| E-book File | 1-5 MB |
| MP3 file | 1 MB / minute |
| WAV file | 10 MB / minute |
| Digitized video |
1 MB / second |
When recording in the Inspiration Lab, it is important to give yourself enough time to save your work and exit the workstation 10 minutes before your booked time ends. Lab staff need time to prepare the space for the next booking.
For more information on this see the following pages in this guide:
Allow time before the end of your booking for large file transfers. This may take 30 (or more) minutes.
After saving your files on your USB (recommended), external hard drive, or cloud storage, and you are sure you have saved your work, use the “Delete All Work Files” icon on the desktop to ensure that your files and personal information are erased before the next person uses the computer.
To clear your infromation, double click the icon, then confirm by clicking "yes".
The Inspiration Lab is a space dedicated to digital creativity, collaboration and storytelling... and all this is free, with your library card!
It features high-performance computers, analog-to-digital conversion, sound studios, video editing and self-publishing software.
You can:
When using VPL's Inspiration Lab, some basic skills related to file saving, sharing, and troubleshooting are required. This guide is intended to cover some of the basic challenges that a new user may face when getting started.
This guide will go over the basics of how to store projects you are working on using both USB Drive and Cloud Storage options, and contains a glossary of terms.
The Inspiration Lab has specialized software, studio space, and equipment to help you create and experiment with digital media!
Recording studios, equipment, and computers in the Inspiration Lab are available for booking if you have a library card with the Vancouver Public Library. To use the studios, you will need to have a library card with proof of address and no more than $10 in fees. The Creation Stations and Digitization Stations can be used by anyone with a valid card (including an Internet Access card).
The Inspiration Lab is open during regular Central library hours. However, the recording studios close half an hour before the rest of the library. Monday to Saturday, the Central library opens at 10, and on Sundays opens at 11. The Central library is open until 9pm Monday to Thursday, and closes at 6pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Central library is closed on holidays.
Studios can be booked for a maximum of three hours per day.
Creation Stations and Digitization Stations automatically provide three hours of use per day, but a Creation Station or Digitzation Station session may be extended at staff discretion if time is available and others are not waiting to use it.
Bookings of studios, Creation Stations, and Digitization Stations can be made up to two weeks in advance. For more information on booking, please see the booking instructions for studios, booking instructions for Creation Stations, or booking instructions for Digization Stations.
We recommend you begin saving your project or work at least 30 minutes before the end of your session. This allows time for tasks to be completed, such as transferring files to USB or burning a disc.
