Thursday, September 24, 2015

Microfiche



We can’t remember when the microfilm and microfiche was last used in Logue Library.  

One corner of the first floor stacks stores a microfilm/fiche reader and 15 cabinets.  For those who have never touched microfiche here is a description  http://goo.gl/9O142t . The documents on the film are available elsewhere.  Film does not last in a building without temperature and humidity control. Our reader does not print

By this summer we were sure it was time to clear those away. Remembering the mission statement “service to one another and to the global community, and concern for the earth” we offered the film to local libraries and archives. Our good friends at the Chestnut Hill Historical Society took the Chestnut Hill Local and the Old York Road Historical Society took the New York Times. Those archives are glad to let anyone from CHC use their records.

This left over 150,000 pieces of fiche (mostly ERIC documents) and twelve drawers of film (mostly newspapers).  Older film and the ink are considered hazardous.  Members of the Delaware Valley Archivists helped us find information that this film was safe, but the ink might contain metals.  Even if it were safe, we didn’t want all that plastic in a landfill (remember that “concern for the earth” thing).
Login later to see what we will do with this. (MM)

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