The MU Libraries have one of the largest collections of microforms in North America. All microforms in Ellis Library except United States government documents, United Nations documents, ERIC documents, college catalogs, and telephone directories are centralized in the Special Collections. Specific collections and guides are listed in the right column.
Microform materials technically are any materials containing miniaturized images requiring magnification to be viewed. Microform in Special Collections may be available in four different formats, microfilm (FILM), microfiche (FICHE), microcard (MICD), and microprint (MICPT). Below is a list of locations for quick reference.
Print indexes and guides to microform collections are designated SPEC REF in MERLIN and are located in room 406. These materials are for library use only, but patrons can consult them during all library hours. Additional microform guides are listed in the right column of this page.
Format |
MERLIN Location |
Description/Location in Ellis Library |
Microfilm
|
SPEC FILM |
Microfilms are rolls of film with either 16 or 35 mm width. Newspapers, periodicals, and most film books are located in rooms 403, 404, and 406, accessible to patrons during all library hours. Items designated FILM BOOK 0001, FILM BOOK 0002, and FILM MISC, in addition to some other collections, must be retrieved by Special Collections staff during Special Collections hours. |
Microfiche
|
SPEC MICF |
Microfiche (MICF) are 4" x 6" film sheets holding 40 to 98 pages of text. These materials must be retrieved by Special Collections staff during Special Collections hours (except for microfiche copies of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, located in room 303). |
Microcard
|
SPEC MICD |
Microcard (MICD) are 3" x 5" opaque cards which are viewed by a special reader or reader printer. Although obsolete now, a number of collections are in this format. All microcards and the machines to view them are located in Room 303. Digital scans can be made on a machine located in room 408. |
Microprint
|
SPEC MICPT |
Microprint (MICPT) are 6" x 9" opaque cards similar to microcards. All microprint and the machines to view them are located in Room 303. Digital copies can be made on a machine located in room 408. The Early American Imprint Series has been moved to room 202. |
Finding an Article in Special Collections
Chronological Listing of Periodicals by Decade
Newspapers in Microform in Ellis Library
Electronic Newspapers and Indexes
Chronological Listing of Newspapers by Decade
Geographical Listing of Newspapers
Primary Microform Resources in Art, Literature, Languages and Music