-------- Original Message --------
Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2002 15:39:44 -0400
From: Werner Lind <wlind@mail.bluefield.edu>
Subject: Re: Microfilm reader printer upgrade? -- Katherine Hill

For whatever it's worth, we did away with all of our microform holdings a
few years
ago, and nobody has missed them.  The format was very unpopular with the
patrons,
because of the cumbersome technology involved, and was hardly ever used.
Both
full-text computer databases and print subscriptions continue to be used,
and meet
our pattrons' research needs just fine (with an occasional ILL).
     On the other hand, we gave our microform reader/printer to a special
library in
Maryland, which was absolutely delighted to get it; so this technology
obviously still
meets a need for some libraries.  It all depends on your spatial constraints
and your patrons' total blend of information needs and format preferences,
and this will vary from institution to institution.

 > -------- Original Message --------
 > From: "Hill, Katherine" <Hillk@ecc.edu>
 > To: <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU>
 > Subject: Microfilm reader printer upgrade?
 >
 > We are a community college library with quite a bit of our serials
 > backfiles on microfilm.  Our students are increasingly relying on full
 > text services such as Lexis Nexis and Infotrac OneFile.  The microfilm
 > is used less and less.  In the meantime we have two aging 3M film reader
 > printers.  We had intended to upgrade to a new machine, but now are
 > having second thoughts.  Has anyone cancelled all their microfilm
 > subscriptions?  Has anyone gotten rid of all their film and/or fiche?
 > We can think of other things to buy with the money a new machine would
 > cost.  Does anyone have a crystal ball about the future of these
 > microform collections?
 > Katherine H. Hill
 > Circulation/Periodicals Librarian
 > Dry Memorial Library
 > Erie Community College
 > 6205 Main Street
 > Williamsville, New York 14221
 > (716) 851-1278
 > hillk@ecc.edu

--
Werner A. Lind
Assistant Library Director
Easley Library/Bluefield College
3000 College Drive
Bluefield, VA 24605
276-326-4269
http://www.bluefield.edu/library/