Microform

Microform is a name given to special photographic films. Microforms contain reduced images of documents. Usually, documents stored on microform are reduced about 25 times. Microform is mainly used for archival purposes.

There are three common formats:

• Microfilm, which comes in reels of film.
• Aperture card, This contains additional digital data (as a punch card).
• Microfiche, a flat sheet with many pages.

Properly stored (room temperature, 50% humidity), microform should be able to last up to 500 years.

Images

• Positive roll film.jpg

  A roll of (positive) microfilm

• Aperture card.JPG

  An aperture card

• Microfiche card.JPG

  A microfiche (flat sheet)

Microform Media

• 

  Digital scanning of microfilm (See Digital conversion below.)

• Microfiche reader and source code.jpg

  DuKane brand microfiche reader with source code printed on the films

• Library microfiche reader.jpg

  A microfiche reader in a library

• Microfiche holder.jpg

  A microfiche holder with microfiches

• COM card.JPG

  Computer output microfilm card