Help Finding ... Microforms
Microforms are materials on which photographically reduced images are printed, on film or paper. The most commonly known forms are microfilm and microfiche. These reduced images are enlarged for viewing through lenses in special reader machines. Use one of our subject guides or search MNCAT to get a library location, and use our latest technology, the microscanner, to view, save or e-mail an image from microfilm or microfiche.
1. Microforms - An Illustrated Glossary
2. Subject Guides to Microform Collections
3. Search MNCAT for Microforms
Search MNCAT: Basic Search
Go to the second search box and type your keyword search term(s) plus the word microform.
MNCAT Basic Search examples:
Keyword search for: microform victoria albert
Search MNCAT: Advanced Search
Go to MNCAT
Click on Advanced
Enter your search terms in the "Search For" box.
Choose a Search Type (title keyword, etc.) in the drop-down box.
Choose Microforms in the "Format" drop down box.
Write down the location and call number of the item.Examples:
find Winterthur as title keyword and merchandising as general keyword
find early american imprints as series title and midwives as general keyword
Search MNCAT: Command Search
You can also do a MNCAT Command Search.
Go to MNCAT
Click on Command.
Use the code wgm=h (which stands for General Media designator = h (an arbitary assigned code for microforms) The command search is not case sensitive, so you don’t have to capitalize words, but you need to include the equals (=) sign.
For more Command codes, scroll down past the search boxes.Command Search examples:
wgm=h and wrd=crusoe (example illustrated below)
wpu= university of oregon and wrd=coaches and wgm=h
wgm=h and wrd=portrait?
The Availability line lists the call number.
Write down the location, call number and basic information (author, title, and date).
4. Get the Materials
After you have done a MNCAT search you need to note enough information to help you locate the item. You may encounter a variety of different types of call numbers. Simple call numbers may refer to large sets. For large sets with one call number, you will need to know exactly which item you need. To make this process easier:
- E-mail the record to yourself.
- Consult with library staff.
- Contact AskUs
- See the general building location guide: Locating Materials in MNCAT
- See the detailed page: Get Materials on Microform in the University Libraries
- For Government Publications in Wilson, see Guide to Locations in the Government Publications Library
5. Viewing, Saving, Printing and E-Mailing Images from Microforms
Last updated September 21, 2005 Contact Page Author: s-gang@umn.edu