Getting Started with Obsolete Media

Many collections include audiovisual and digital materials in formats that are no longer widely supported, such as VHS tapes, audiocassettes, and floppy disks. These materials often raise practical questions: Is this still playable? Can we manage it in-house, or do we need outside help? This introductory webinar walks you through the basics of working with obsolete media. Topics include identifying common at-risk formats, understanding file-conversion options, thinking through equipment needs, and deciding when an outside vendor is the right choice. The emphasis is on realistic decision-making for small or volunteer-run organizations. About our Speaker: As the Digital Archives Specialist, Kaitlyn Pettengill conducts digital preservation assessments and assists with digitization planning for collecting organizations. She advises organizations in the ongoing development, implementation, and operation of their digital preservation programs as well as on recommendations for the development and implementation of digital preservation strategies, technologies, and procedures. Prior to joining the CCAHA staff in 2024, Kaitlyn worked as the Digital Projects Coordinator for the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University and as the Digital Services Archivist at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Kaitlyn earned an MLIS from San José State University, where she specialized in Digital Collections and Digital Asset Management. She also holds an MA degree in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and a BA in Art History and English Literature from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Recorded February 17, 2026.