The library I worked at previously had a long standing policy of interfiling
all formats in the stacks by call number, and used the plastic boxes for
shelving microfilm as Lucy described.  (Since I left, I believe there has
been an administrative push at that library to change the interfiling policy
and to purchase microfilm cabinets.)

>From my experience with the shelving boxes, you could get smaller boxes that
each hold two rolls and that interlock with other boxes to form as large a
grouping as you need.  These smaller boxes are a good option IF you have
MANY titles with one or two reels, but they are difficult to balance and to
manipulate in larger groupings.  If most of your titles are multi-reeled,
buy the sturdier boxes that hold six or eight reels.

Either way, microfilm on shelves is problematic, as others have noted.

Christina Torbert
Head of Serials & Associate Professor
J.D. Williams Library
University of Mississippi
ctorbert@olemiss.edu
662-915-7059
662-915-6744 fax
-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Lucy Crews
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 3:56 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Storing microfilm

We have had over 1000 reels of microfilm added through a history grant over
the last two years.

Initially we put them on the shelves alphabetical by title as all other
serials are currently arranged in our room. However,
we have these particular films barcoded and a call number assigned so they
can be scanned into in-house use before
reshelving, thus allowing us stats on this collection.

I am in the process of purchasing storage boxes that hold 5 or 8 reels of
film, so that titles with multiple pieces can be
boxed and stored more neatly on the shelves.  I have two debates going with
other staff :

1. Leave the title arrangement or rearrange by call number.  ( We do have
students who wonder why the film is not by call number
since there is one in the catalog. )

2. If we rearrange by call number, would it make since to put multiple
titles in a storage box ?  We have many titles that have only
one reel, or just two.  Rather than have so many loose reels I wanted to
combine a range of call numbers in a box.  That way
everything is in a box on the shelves.  (Easier for moving and cleaning
too.)

What are others doing ?  How are microfilm collections stored in your
library ?  Have you encountered problems with any of the above
methods ?

Thanks for your input.  Your advice is appreciated.

Lucy A. Crews
Catalog / Serials Librarian
Grafton Library
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, Virginia   24401
Ph : 540-887-7088
Fax : 540-887-7297
Email: LCREWS@MBC.EDU

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