ET2Microforms Services
Frequently Asked Questions

What are microforms?

To create a microform, you photograph the individual pages of a document and then reproduce them in miniature on either a transparent or opaque medium. Because there is so much information in such a small place, microforms allow us to maintain a much larger collection than we could if owned the paper copies. ET2 has equipment to view, print, and scan all of the following formats.

Microfilm comes on rolls of 35mm or 16mm film. Microfilm is shelved in cabinets arranged by Library of Congress call numbers. See IUCAT for specific titles, call numbers, and guides.

Microfiche are roughly 4" x 6" sheets of flat film. Fiche are arranged by LC and Superintendent of Documents call numbers. Ultrafiche is similar to microfiche. The images are smaller and the film is thicker.

Microcardsare3” x 5” opaque cards. Microprint cards are similar, except that they are usually 6” x 9”. You must use the ST200 machines for both formats. Microcards are being integrated into the fiche collection as they are cataloged. Microprint is located in its own section, easily distinguishable by the red boxes they are kept in.

What kind of documents are on microforms?

Our collection includes (among other things) books from the earliest days of printing, manuscripts, back issues of newspapers and periodicals, government records, and dissertations from all over.

How can I tell what’s on a microform without looking at every piece of it?

Many of our sets are accompanied by printed or online guides. You should always check IUCat first to see what’s available. Printed guides are located in the Microforms Reference section. Some of the online guides are linked from the Microforms Collections section of the ET2 home page. If you can’t find or make sense of a guide (some of them are a little arcane at first) ask ET2 staff for assistance.

Where are the microforms?

Most microforms are located on the 2nd floor of the east tower in Government Information and Kent Cooper Services. Other collections are available in Education, Fine Arts, Law, Lilly, and Music.

Microforms are separated into LC and SuDoc call numbers just as books are. Generally, if the call number of the item you need has a colon ( : ), it is a SuDoc number. If not, it is an LC number. Some exceptions apply. Ask ET2 staff for the current location of ultrafiche and microcard.

How do I read microforms and/or make prints or digital scans of them?

Microforms must be viewed on microform readers. There are over half a dozen microform reader/printer/scanners in ET2 that will allow you to make paper or even digital copies of microfilm, microfiche, and ultrafiche. Two of them will also do microcard and microprint. If you feel overwhelmed by the machines, don’t hesitate to ask ET2 staff for help or instructions.

Can I check out microforms?

Most microforms can circulate, though there are some exceptions. (For instance, due to their fragile condition, microcard and microprint do not circulate.) Because most people do not own reading equipment, circulation is rare except in the case of Inter-Library Loan. We do havepersonal readers you can check out, but they are heavy, awkward to transport, and do not have scanning or printing capabilities.

How much do paper copies or digital scans of microforms cost?

  • Self-service scans are free. The PDFs you make are yours to save or print.
  • Students, Faculty, Staff, etc., can print digital copies out of their print quota.
  • Printing direct from the microform readers costs $0.15 per print. Please note that the coin boxes on the machines take exact change only. You are advised to stock up on nickels and dimes ahead of time if you plan to use them.
  • Youcan ask the staff to make copies for you at $0.30 per print.
  • Youcan ask the staff to make scans for you at $0.30 per scan.

Where can I get change for the microforms coin boxes?

The main Circulation Desk on the ground floor of the West Tower can make change. ET2 Staff cannot make change or accept any cash for services rendered.

How do I pay for microforms services?

ET2 Staff can accept CampusAccess, personal checks, and faculty accounts, only. For CampusAccess and personal checks, fill out the white Library Photoreproduction Form located at the service desk. To use your faculty account, fill out the yellow Library Photoreproduction form (being sure include your seven digit faculty account number). After you’ve printed your copies, bring them up to the service desk to pay.

If I place a copy order, when will it be completed?

Completion times vary depending on the length of the order.Orders for up to 25 pages could very likely be completed the same day. ET2 Staff can give you an estimate.

How will I receive my order?

You will be notified by e-mail or phone when your order is complete. Upon payment, scans will either be e-mailed to you as PDFs or -- depending on the size of your order -- they will be uploaded to a temporary location for you to download. Prints can be picked up at the ET2 service desk or, if you have an Indiana University office, we can send them through Campus Mail.

Which microform machines will read, print, scan, or all three?


The grey Canon machines are recommended for viewing, printing, and scanning any non-opaque microformat, including fiche and film.


The black ST200s are the only machines that can handle all microformats, including microcard and microprint.

We also have a couple of larger machines (the Northwests) which, while incapable of printing or scanning, may be of use to people with limited vision.

I put money in the machine but it won’t print.

  • Is the printer turned on?The majority of the printers have an on switch either on the very front at the base of the machine or on one of their sides at the base.
  • Is the printer out of paper? If so, please ask ET2 Staff to refill the printer.
  • Is the toner icon flashing? The toner icon is a pyramid of dots located on the front of the printer.
  • Did your money go all the way through the coin box?Coins have been known to get stuck inside the coin boxes. If you think this is the case, please notify ET2 Staff and he or she will remedy the situation for you.

Why did I get a print with white text on a black background?

What type of film are you reading? If it is negative it will be white text on a black background. To reverse this, select the appropriate setting on the machines’ positive-negative control. Note that this only effects the prints, not the display.

Why won’t the screen light up when I turn on the machine?

  • Is the machine plugged in?Check surrounding machines as well. They may all be plugged into a surge strip that somehow has gotten switched off.
  • Is the lamp burnt out? Bring this to the attention of ET2 Staff. He or she (if able) will change the bulb for you or help you reset on a new machine.

All of your machines are in use. Is there somewhere else I can take the microform to make copies?

The Education, Music, and Law libraries have reader/printers. You can also scan at Education.

What Indiana (or other location's)newspapers do you have on film?

To search for Indiana newspapers in the catalog, do a keyword search for Indiana{752}. You can replace "Indiana" with any location to see which newspapers we have from that city, state, country, etc. On the advanced search screen you can also limit your search to certain publication years or owning libraries.

For more information on Indiana newspapers, check out our online guide at:

How can I obtain materials that you don’t have in your collection?

Submit an interlibrary loan request at the Document Delivery Services page ( by clicking on “Request an item not available in an IU Bloomington Library.”

I have received microforms through Inter-Library loan. Can I use the machines in ET2 for reading/printing/scanning?

Yes. Our machines are available to anyone who wants to use them.

What is duplifiche?

Duplifiche is a copy of the microfiche itself. Therefore, it is a kind of microfiche. You can have a duplifiche made of fiche in our holdings at $0.25 a sheet.

Can you make a duplifilm?

Unfortunately, we do not have the equipment to copy film. However, you can check the film out and send them to be duplicated on your own. One company that provides this service is Imaging Office Systems. Their phone number is
1-800-560-5630.

FAQ originally prepared by Julie Zamostny.
Updated and rewritten March 28, 2009 by Sarah Lucas

Photos by Dean Sullivan and Julie Zamostny.

Still confused? ET2 Staff is here to help! All you have to do is ask.