Hours
Microforms is a self-serve department. Access to materials is available all hours Knight Library is open.
Use of the Collections and Equipment
MICROFILM is 35 or 16 millimeter film on reels. MICROFICHE are 4 by 6 inch transparent cards. MICROPRINT are opaque cards. We have one scanner that is capable of copying MICROPRINT opaque cards. We have two scanners that can make copies of MICROFILM and MICROFICHE.
There are in current service reader/printer machines for microfilm and microfiche including two ScanPro 3000 Digital Microform Scanners which can make paper and .pdf copies of microfiche, microfilm, and microcards.The Digital Microform Scanners feature high resolution scanning for film, fiche, and opaque microcards. Scan and save to the Hard Drive or to a USB Drive. Using your web-based email, compose message, attach images, and send.
If you have been using a reader/printer continuously for 1/2 hour, and no other reader/printer is available for a patron who is waiting, staff may ask you to give up the machine to that patron. Reader/printers produce copies for 13 cents each on copy cards (ask staff for assistance) or 20 cents in coins (nickels or dimes only, as the machines cannot make change). The coin boxes and card readers on these machines cannot pass money from coin box to card.
Copies may be made from positive or negative microfilm or microfiche, and different size lenses are available to produce a variety of print sizes. Threading diagrams posted on or near the machines explain how to mount microfilms properly. Do not attempt to service the machines or unsnarl film tangles. Ask the microform staff if you need assistance.
The ScanPro 3000 Digital Microform Scanners feature high resolution scanning for film, fiche, and opaque microcards. Scan and save to the Hard Drive or to a USB Drive. Using your web-based email, compose message, attach images, and send.
Staff is available during Library hours to assist patrons locating materials and using all the machines. Guides, on how to use the scanners and reader printers, are available at all stations when Microforms is not staffed.
Interlibrary Loan
Many items in the Microforms Collection are available through Interlibrary Loan. You will need to request material through your local library. Items may be checked out for eight weeks and are sent to the library, not individual patrons. There is a limit of six items (six microfilm reels) per non-UO user. We do not loan our microfiche indexes.
Searches
For obituaries: Consider using an online source such as Online Oregon Death Records & Indexes to pinpoint death information and then use Interlibrary Loan to request newspaper from the appropriate city for the appropriate time period. You may find the paper you need has been digitized and is available online and for free: Oregon Digital Newspaper Program (ODNP) Also, public libraries occasionally have indexes to local papers contact the appropriate library, view Oregon Public Libraries.
For other articles: The University of Oregon Library has digitized some Oregon newspapers: Oregon Digital Newspaper Program (ODNP). For others: You can request entire reels of microform covering the time period you believe your article appeared via the Interlibrary Loan process described above. Also, as public libraries occasionally have indexes to local papers contact the appropriate library, view public libraries.