Microform is a generic term for all media used to store greatly reduced text or graphic images usually on film or paper. These images can be magnified, then viewed, copied or scanned with special microform equipment. Until recently, microform has been the only convenient and economical way to reproduce large collections of primary source material. It continues to offer access to many thousands of texts that have not been digitized and probably will not be. The collection at the Pace Library contains the following common formats:

• Microfilm: a continuous roll of positive or negative 16mm or 35mm photographic film.


• Microfiche: a card-shaped sheet of photographic film, usually 3" x 5" or 4" x 6".


• Microopaque: a sheet of opaque material such as card stock, either 6" x 9" (microprint) or 3" x 5" (microcard.). These require special equipment. Please inquire at the circulation desk, if you need to view these.

The library recently purchased several new digital microform readers. There are 3 available for use on the 2nd floor. Library patrons have the option of saving the image (or text) and emailing it to themselves or they can print it to a designated printer within the library.

Some examples of microform collections available include:

• American Periodical Series. This is a collection of 1100 American journals of every sort published from 1741 until 1900. These include political, religious, literary, general interest and some 20 journals aimed at women. A small number of journals were published in German and French for readers of those languages in the U.S.
• College catalog collection.
• Prime Minister's correspondence : Sir Robert Peel, 1841-1846.
• Early American Newspapers. Includes the Boston News-Letter (1704), the Georgia Gazette (1763), The New-York Mercury (1769) and the Providence Gazette (1795) among others.