Microforms at Georgetown – Tip Sheet

  • What is a microform – a microreproduction of a journal, newspaper, thesis or government document where the original image has been greatly reduced for storage or transmission purposes.
  • Georgetown has numerous types of microforms including microfilm, microfiche, and microcards.
  • Where areGeorgetown microform collectionslocated? – Microforms collections live on the Lower Level (LL) of Lauinger Library. Many others have been moved off site but can be requested via the library’s website at
  • Where can you read/print/scan a microform at Lauinger Library? – Microform readers are located on both the Lower Level and on the third floor by the reference desk.
  • Lower Level Resources – One microcard reader that allows for viewing only (please see Gelardin New Media Center on Lau 1st floor about scanning copies from a microcard) and two microfilm/microfiche readers that allow for viewing and printing only, no scanning ($.10 per page, must have a print card, press green button on reader to print).
  • Third Floor – Reference Area Resources – 2 microfilm/microfiche readers that allow for viewing, printing ($.10 per page) and scanning – all of which are done via the desktop program called eCopy. In order to save your scanned file, you will need a USB flash drive.

Microfilm/Microfiche Machine Use –

  • There are two lenses to choose based on magnification needs – 9.5 – 16x (orange) and 16 – 32x (green). These are the only two magnification options Georgetown can provide.
  • There are three dials to control image orientation, magnification, and focus. The orientation dial is located immediately above the lens. The magnification dial (blue) and focus dial (grey) are located on the lens itself.
  • Reader settings such as positive/negative film and brightness can be changed on the reader directly or through the scanner settings of the eCopy desktop program (eCopy is on Lau 3rd flooronly).
  • There are 3 sets of size guides on the screen of the reader. The three sizes correspond to letter paper portrait, letter paper landscape, and legal paper portrait. Lauinger printers can only print on letter paper (8.5” x 11”).
  • Be sure that the microfilm/microfiche that you are using is beneath the glass plate below the lens. Additionally, when setting up the machine for microfilm, be sure to select the correct film size – 16 or 35 mm.
  • Please use care with all microforms – many films are quite delicate and can be scratched easily.
  • If you need assistance locating a microform or using one of the readers, please see the Circulation or Reference Desk staff.