Q: What are
microforms?
A: The
microform collection includes microfilm (images on a filmstrip) and
microfiche (images on a card). Before full-text was available online,
many libraries preserved their collections of newspapers, journals, and
magazines by transferring these texts onto film. Historical documents
are also often saved as microforms. Special machines are required to
read and print from these images.
Q: What if I need a lot of help using the Microform Collection
in the library? Will someone help me?
A:
Definitely! If you are using the
collection and have a question, there is a phone located in the Microforms
Collection area. This will connect you with assistance. Brief
assistance (10 minutes or less) is free of charge. Special instruction
or research help is available at a rate of $15.00 per half hour.
Q: I don't have time to come all the way to the library and spend
hours using the microfilm and microfiche. If I know what I need, could
someone find it for me?
A: Starting in Fall 2006,
library staff members can locate and copy specific items found in our
microforms collection. Research to locate items will incur a charge of
$15.00 per half hour. Scanned copies (in black and white only)
produced by the library staff will cost $1 per page.
Q: If I'm
searching for something in the catalog, how do I know if it's a microform or
if it's available in a different format?
A: When you
see a title in Quest, the library's catalog, it will give you a "location"
for the item. In the results from Quest shown below, item number 43 is
for the New York Times Book Review and Magazine. It shows the
location for this item to be in the MICROFORMS collection. Sometimes this
may say MICROFICHE CABINET. Either way, this means that the item is located
in the Microforms Collection on the library's 1st floor.
As with the rest of the library's
collection, the item will be organized by Call Number. The call number
for all of the items in the Microforms Collection will begin with the
letters MF.
If you have further questions about
using the microforms available in the Coates Library, speak to someone at
the circulation desk or call ext. 8127.
