Microfilm and microfiche are commonly referred to as "microforms." This form of preserving books and manuscripts evolved before digital preservation, and is still in many cases considered safer than digital preservation. Essentially it involves photographing the materials, to shrunken images on reels or cards (fiche) that can be placed into a projector to be viewed at their original size (or larger). Because modern microfilm can last up to 500 years, whereas digital technologies are rapidly evolving and being replaced (and constantly under risk of corruption from virus and other threats), microfilm will likely continue to be a preferred preservation material for written materials, into the near future.
Microfilm comes rolled onto a reel, in a small cardboard box, usually on 16mm of 35 mm film. A single title may be on one reel, or in many cases a group of related titles (years of a journal, perhaps, or related correspondence) may all be on the same reel. Often some journals or archives may be filmed onto a group of reels, with a print guide that advises what is on each reel.
Microfiche comes filmed onto fiche, or cards/plates, usually a thick, unbendable film. Rows of images are filmed onto each fiche, and the fiche may be grouped into envelopes for organization. One title may be on each fiche, or an entire envelope (or more) could be dedicated to a title. Likewise, diverse materials may be grouped onto several fiche or envelopes of fiche.
Microforms usually cannot be checked out of a library because they require the use of a microform reader - a large, expensive piece of equipment that libraries maintain for their users to access this media. Most microform readers function like a small projector - the reel or fiche must be fed into the machine over a lightbulb, the lens focused, and the images will project onto a screen for the user to view. Many microform readers today have additional features like auto-feed and printing/scanniing abilities.
The STH Library currently has microform readers by the archives office. Please let our staff show you how to load and read media on the microform reader if it is your first time using it. Because we have limited microform readers, it helps to schedule your time in advance so that you will not have to wait for other users to finish using the microform reader. Occasionally, if one or both of our microform readers needs servicing, you may be advised to take the material next door to BU's Mugar Memorial Library in order to use the microform readers there.
Microform citations are covered in the Chicago Manual of Style Online in section 14.17: "Specify the format... after the facts of publication."
This means that you will write "microfilm" or "microfiche" after the publishing information (and in the full note, before the page number you are citing.
A researcher using the Day Missions Collections microforms has found a letter about India on reel 131. Consulting page 97 of the Guide to Selections from the Day Missions Collection : Asia and Pacific Rim (found at Theology Library Reference BV 3150 .K56 1990z), the researcher sees the following information about the letter:
|
1995-0869 Strachan, J. M. (James Morgan) A letter to the Right Honourable Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Bt., M.P., President of the Board of control for the affairs of India [microform] : occasioned by his speech in the House of commons, on July 27, 1840, on the question of the connexion of the East India company with the idolatry of that country. London : Hatchard, 1841. 37 p. ; 22 cm. |
The researcher would then format this citation in the following ways.
Footnote:
1. James Morgan Strachan, A letter to the Right Honourable Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Bt., M.P., President of the Board of control for the affairs of India : occasioned by his speech in the House of commons, on July 27, 1840, on the question of the connexion of the East India company with the idolatry of that country (London : Hatchard, 1841), microfilm, p. 15.
Bibliography:
Strachan, James Morgan. A letter to the Right Honourable Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Bt., M.P., President of the
Board of control for the affairs of India : occasioned by his speech in the House of commons, on July 27,
1840, on the question of the connexion of the East India company with the idolatry of that country.
London : Hatchard, 1841. Microfilm.
