Scanning

What is a Microform?

It is a printed item that has been reduced to a size too small to be read by the unaided eye.  It requires light and magnification from a Microform Reader to view the images.  Kelvin Smith Library contains two types of Microform: Microfiche and Microfilm.

What is Microfiche?

Microfiche are a series of microimages on a flat sheet of 105mm film.  The sheets are commonly cut into  4x6in and can contain anywhere from 60-98 images arranged into a grid pattern.

What is Microfilm?

Roll film is wound onto a standard size spool or reel that can accomodate up to 125 feet of film.  It has the capability to produce larger, clearer images.  Microfilm is most often used for books, journals, newspapers, and archival materials.

Where are the Microforms located?

The Microfiche are located on the 2nd floor at the end of the Government Documents stacks on shelves and in metal cabinets.  The Microfilm rolls are located on the 1st floor at the end of the Oversize collection.  The rolls are stored in individual boxes and kept on the shelves.

Do I need special permission to use the readers?

Yes, please see a staff person at the Service Center so they may login to a computer for you.  

• Both Microform Readers are located on the main floor, behind the Service Center desk and next to the Freedman Center Commons.

• Open the "PowerScan 3000" program on the desktop.

• Gently pull the loading tray out of the reader.
• Grasp the handle on the front of the tray and pull out until the glass screen pops up.

Glass tray

•  Place the microfilm reel on the left peg on the front of the reader, with a small portion of the film hanging free
• In this position, the reel should form the shape of a "9" 

Microfilm in shape of "9"

• Take the free portion of the film and feed it through the machine to the other peg.
  • The specific steps are outlined in the image below.
  • A threading guide can also be found on top of both readers.

• To unload the film, pull the glass tray toward you and hold down the "High Speed" button on the "motorized film controls" panel.
• When done, place reels in metal basket on the desk.

• Gently pull the loading tray out of the reader.
  • Grasp the handle on the front of the tray and pull out until the glass screen pops up.
• Place the Microfiche card directly on the glass tray.
  • The bottom of the card should go in first so that it looks upside down.

Microfiche orientation in glass tray

• If the image still appears upside down or backwards on the screen, the "Mirror" and "Rotate 90" buttons on the "Home" tab can be used to make adjustments after loading.
• Move the glass around to find the images to view.
• To unload, pull the glass tray toward you and remove the Microfiche card.
• When done, place cards in the metal basket on the desk.

These combinations of keystrokes can be used in place of clicking the motorized film control buttons on the screen.

• Ctrl + S  ►  scans to drive #1 then switches image to live mode.
• Ctrl + C  ►  auto crops image.
• Ctrl + D  ►  deskews (straightens) image.
• Ctrl + L   ►  switches image to live mode.
• Ctrl + (click) zoom up arrow  ►  zooms up to the last used AZ (auto-zoom) magnification.
• Ctrl + (click) zoom down arrow  ►  zooms to lowest magnification.
• Left arrow  ►  slow speed left.
• Left arrow + up arrow  ►  increases slow speed left with each press of the up arrow.
• Left arrow + down arrow  ►  decreases slow speed left with each press of the down arrow.
• Right arrow  ►  slow speed right.
• Right arrow + up arrow  ►  increases slow speed right with each press of the up arrow.
• Right arrow + down arrow  ►  decreases slow speed right with each press of the down arrow.
• Ctrl + left arrow  ►  (glass closed) medium speed left.
• Ctrl + right arrow  ►  (glass closed)  fast speed left.
• Ctrl + left arrow  ►  (glass open)  fast speed left.
• Ctrl + right arrow  ►  (glass open)  fast speed right.
• Left arrow + Home  ►  (glass open)  Rewind.

• Adjust images as needed using the buttons on the different panels (as shown in guides above).
• Scanning and saving are completed in the same step:
  • Go to the “home” or "adjust" tab and select  “Scan to Drive #2" (USB), select the location and name the file.
  • Continue until all needed images are scanned and click “finish” on the "Scan Count" box.
• Images can also be scanned and sent through email:
  • Go to the "home" or "adjust" tab and select "Scan to Email".
    • Create a file name and click "save".
  • Continue until all needed images are scanned and click “finish” on the "Scan Count" box.
  • Fill in a recipient, subject, and message then hit "send".