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Microforms

Brief guide about UCI's microforms/microfilm collection.

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Location

All UCI Libraries' microform collections and equipment are located on the Basement Floor of Langson Library. All library visitors may use the microform equipment to view, scan, and digitize images

Microfilm printed copies    $0.12 / page

UC Library Search

To search the microform collections at UCI go into UC Library Search and click on "Advanced Search". Try some general search terms in the "Any Field" box, and select "Library Catalog". Then try to find the guide to the collection (in the library or online), as the guide is extremely useful for locating specific documents.

Copyright

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of copies of copyrighted materials, including microforms. The person making copies has the ultimate responsibility for complying with the law. Visit the Copyright & Fair Use guide for more information about complying with copyright requirements.

Microform is a general term for any material that contains a small image or microreproduction of a document. These document images are usually found on film, however some older formats used cardboard. There are two common film formats: microfilm and microfiche. Microfilm is a roll of images, much like a movie reel, while microfiche is a flat sheet of microfilm. Since the images are so small, special readers/scanners are used to view the documents. Microforms help to save space. Thousands of newspapers, journals or government documents can be stored in a few cabinets. 

Microform: Microfilm: Microfiche:
spool of microform, negatives of microform, print copy of finding aid for microform collection gray, white, and red box for red and black spool of microfilm microfiche negative in white envelope

A microfilm reader is a device used in projecting and magnifying images stored in microform to readable proportions. Microform includes flat film, microfilm, aperture cards, microfiche, and ultra fiche.

computer monitor with keyboard and mouse attached            microform reader

                                                    black wire basket containing two boxes of microfilm with a blue and white sign reading "Please return microforms here."

three mobile-aisle shelves with location wording on the side            white boxes containing microfilm on a shelf

 

Location and equipment