What is it?
Microforms holds materials which have been reproduced in a reduced size requiring special equipment to read. The most common forms of micro-formats include:
- Microfiche
- Microprint
- Microcard
- Microfilm
Why use it?
The Library’s collection in this format covers a vast and diverse range of materials and subject matters, including materials from the Engineering and Science Libraries: books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, dissertations, dramatic works, government documents and much more.
Where is it?
With the exception of microforms in the Government Documents collection, most of the material in micro-format is held in the Microforms collection found in the basement of the Harriet Irving Library. The locations within Microforms are often dependent on format and are usually sub-arranged by Library of Congress call number. These locations are reflected in the Libraries’ catalogue, WorldCat, as well as in the floor plans.
- For further explanation, see Catalogue Locations and Call Numbers, which connects to appropriate floor plans.
- Arrangement irregularities:
- Newspapers (HIL-MIC) are shelved in the basement by title.
- English Literary Periodicals (HIL-MIC) are shelved in the basement by the year they were received, i.e. Year 1.
- Early American Newspapers (HIL-MICP) are shelved in the basement by title.
- The Loyalist Collection (HIL-MICL) is shelved by a unique call numbering system, which is alpha-numeric.
- UNB Theses are shelved by UNB theses numbers, i.e. Thesis 344.
How would I search for microforms?
- Most of the collections are included in the Libraries’ catalogue WorldCat, but not all; so feel free to check with staff to confirm the title of interest is available.
- Newspaper Guide includes a searchable database for newspapers on microfilm, newspaper directories of what’s published, and searchable article databases.
- HIL-MICGD contains accompanying guides to some of the microforms collections.
- The Loyalist Collection catalogue searches for material within that collection.
What equipment is available and what are their capabilities?
Equipment is available to allow reading, scanning and printing from micro-format. Printing paper copies costs 15 cents/page and can be paid at the Commons Service Desk (first floor); scanning is free. Click on the equipment below for additional information for each.
- Readers – microfilm (3):
- Gideon 900 (Manual advance; zoom capability)
- Gideon 1000 (Motorised advance; zoom capability)
- Scanners (3) – Microfilm, microfiche, microprint, microcard; capabilities: viewing, scanning, saving, network printing, and emailing.
- ScanPro 2000
- ScanPro 3000
- ST Viewscan
When is this material accessible?
The material and equipment are accessible for use during the Library’s hours of operation.
Is the material able to be borrowed through inter-library loan?
Yes, except for the reference materials: HIL-MICGD and HIL-MICGDL.
Services staff provide?
- Research and copy requests. See Costs.
- Newspapers on microfilm: duplication service
- See listing of newspaper titles for sale; price is $50/roll.
- Tours, orientations, etc.
Staffing Hours
- Microforms continues to respond to requests for consultation and reference questions via email from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. On site access to material can be accommodated.
Contact Us
- Email: mic@unb.ca
- Staff Directory
Microforms Links
- About Microforms
- Newspapers:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- New Brunswick Historical Newspapers Project (includes microfilm and a large selection of papers outside of New Brunswick)
- Print Subscriptions
- Indexes to Atlantic Canadian Newspapers
- New Brunswick Newspaper Directory
- New Brunswick Newspapers, Vital Statistics Database: 1784-1896
- Loyalist Collection
- Floor Plan - Fifth Floor
- Directions