Microforms

Abstract

Microforms are photographically reduced versions of printed words;  to a point where they are no longer legible to the naked eye. Suitable magnifying devices are needed make them readable. The reduction in size is expressed either as a ratio example ( e.g. 1:24)  or as a multiplication factor (e.g. 24X). Microforms are available in a variety of formats—Physical sizes and reduction ratios. Microforms generally include microfilms, microfiches, micro cards, etc. These are briefly described in the following paragraphs:

Microforms is not new so far as its use in libraries concerned, in the early 1930s , the decaying "New York Times' back files were reproduced on 35 mm film, which offered economy both in storage space and reproduction costs. Dramatic increase in the costs of conventional publishing over the years has once again drawn the attention of publishers, librarians and other information managers in favour of microforms as highly suitable media for information dissemination as well as storage and retrieval.