WebJunction

I found ALA's answer and will go with that:
http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/VHS_to_DVD%3F

"Is it a copyright violation to convert to DVD and discontinue use of the VHS tapes?

A. Yes, in most cases. Reproducing a VHS to DVD without the prior permission of the rights-holder is an infringement of copyright. This kind of reproduction is not exempt because it is not "fair use" as defined in Section 107 of the Copyright Code (see Fair Use) and it does not qualify as a lawful reproduction under Section 108 of the Copyright Code (see Making Digital Copies).

However, in a situation where the VHS tape is lost, stolen or deteriorating or is in an obsolete format (a 3/4" tape is obsolete because the equipment is no longer being sold, but a VHS tape is not obsolete) and is not available in the DVD format in the market for a reasonable cost, the library can make a reproduction. But if the reproduction is in a digital format (DVD is digital), then that copy cannot leave the library premises. "

This means that I will check for each VHS tapes we have whether a DVD version of the same thing exists or not. If not, I will convert them to DVDs. If yes I will keep the VHS and try to buy the DVD version as budget allows.

Since the announcement that VHS players will no longer be manufactured, is the format now obsolete? I don't know when the planned end date for manufacture is, or if they've already stopped making them. Or is there a set standard for "obsolete" beyond "can't get all the stuff anymore"?

I'm also curious about what equipment you are (or would be) using to convert the tapes.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/74081.asp?source=FROOGLE

You mean Gopher from The Love Boat? lol!

I remember when I was a very, very poor kid and the Atari 2600 had fallen from fashion (but still before Nintendo 64 came out). I cut lawns for weeks to save up $25 to buy a friends 2600 and game cartridge collection...and then proceed to play those games for at least five years. New manufacture means different things to different people but in an odd way this opens up new possibilities to the poorest of the poor and actually might mean PL circ of VHS will stabilize and hold for a few more years.

One problem with "better" is that it needs to be expanded into "better for whom?" I'm sure the media companies would like people to rent rather than own and, likely, allow libraries to rent on a similar basis (as one can already do for some films).