Microforms, Part I: What are they?

You may have noticed that the library has a room located to the right of the photocopier with a large “MICROFORMS” sign above the entrance. And just what, you may be asking yourself, is a microform? Microforms are a convenient way of saving a large amount of information in a very small space. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the micro-format was developed in 1928 as a way to store banking records. It consists of taking a photograph of the print page and reducing it in size and storing it on a card or a roll of film. Materials transferred to micro-format are long-lasting, easy to store and take up a lot less space than paper.

Over the years two main formats have come to be preferred, the card version known as microfiche and the film roll version known as microfilm. Both formats require special equipment to view and print the information found on microforms. The library has two reader/printers that are capable of displaying both types of micro-formats. If you are doing historical research or research that requires the use of government information you will probably find yourself using the microforms room. Be sure to ask a librarian if you have any questions about using the equipment. More information on the Hewes microform holdings will be given in later Research Tips.