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Using Microtext Collections

Microtext does not refer to any one type of material. Microtext refers to the way that material has been preserved -- it's current format. The original material could be a government document, a book, a journal artical, a newspaper, a photograph or something else. That item is photographed onto film, either in a roll or a flat card.


Microtext formats include:
  • MFE = Microfiche -- flat sheets of film about 4" x 6"
  • MFM = Microfilm -- reels of film in 35 mm width
  • MPT = Microprint (opaques) -- stiff 3" x 5" cards with black text on a white background
  • MCD = Microcard (opaques) -- stiff cards with black text on a white background, usually 6" x 9"


Location and Equipment


The Microtext area is located on the second floor of the new University Library. We are proud of our new equipment. The area boasts 14 new Canon digital reader-printers. Some of these new reader-printers have control pads (as pictured at left) that allow the user to manipulate the film without having to reach for the controls on the machine. If a staff member performs the initial loading of the film, the control pad makes it much easier for those with mobility difficulties to do their own research.



Here you can see a green box containing microfilm reel boxes. These green sorter boxes are only numbered one way -- with MFM call numbers. These are the location numbers you will see at the bottom of a Voyager catalog record.

Individual Reel boxes can be numbered in many different ways -- by volume, publisher reel number, collection box number, etc.

The staff in microtext will be glad to assist you in locating and using microtext resources and equipment. With some instruction, making a photocopy from microfilm is as simple as making a photocopy from a book.

When there are no staff members in Microtext, ask for assistance at the Main Reference Desk.