This message is being sent to CIRCPLUS,
LIBREF-L, and SERIALST.  I'll be happy to receive
replies personally or to the list, as I'm on all three.

As I'm sure many libraries do, we have of "antique"
microforms.  I'm not referring to ancient reels of
newspapers, but to things like Ultrafiche,
Microcard, and Microprint.  We no longer have any
equipment that will deal with these except for one
ancient micro-opaque reader that will die
momentarily.  And, of course, we have no
equipment that will print from any of them.

We know of the University of Missouri--Columbia's
service for printing from micro-opaques.

What do other libraries do with these almost
useless items?  Have you weeded them?  If you've
weeded them, have you replaced them with other
microforms, such as film or fiche?  If they're
cataloged, what do you do when patrons want to
read one of the Ultrafiche?

If the questions sound a little vague, it is because
they are.  We know that many libraries may still
have equipment to read these microforms, but
imagine that such equipment is failing rapidly.  Any
comments on your practices, recommendations,
experiences, fears, or suggestions would be
appreciated.  We need to decide what, if anything,
to do with these materials.

thanks

dan

Dan Lester, Network Information Coordinator
Boise State University Library, Boise, Idaho, 83725
USA
voice: 208-385-1235   fax:  208-385-1394
dlester@bsu.idbsu.edu     OR
alileste@idbsu.idbsu.edu
Cyclops' Internet Toolbox:    http://cyclops.idbsu.edu
"How can one fool make another wise?"   Kansas,
1979.