Use a film reader to view microform easily.
Most academic libraries offer electronic archives of journals and newspapers. Unfortunately, these archives don't always include older issues or illustrations and advertisements that appeared in the original publication. When students need to research non-text content or view an older article, microfilm may be the only option. Many libraries continue to offer microfilm reels as well as microfilm reading stations for convenient viewing.
Instructions
1. Turn the microfilm reader on by pressing the power switch.
2. Raise the glass plate below the reader's monitor by pulling it out or pushing a film gate switch.
3. Place the film reel onto the left shaft. You should hear a clicking sound.
4. Working left to right, thread the film under the first guider roller, over the second roller, over the lower glass flat, over the third roller, under the fourth roller and through the slot in the right take-up reel.
5. Turn the take-up reel counter-clockwise manually to wind the film around it.
6. Press or turn the fast forward/rewind controls to scroll through your film. You should see the film display on your monitor.
7. Adjust the image orientation and quality with focus and rotate controls and the high/low light switch. Most microfilm will display as black text over a white background. If your film displays as white text over a black background, it is probably a negative. In this case, click the "film type" icon on your film reader to switch to a positive display for easier reading.
8. Press the rewind control when you are done using the microfilm to roll it back up.
Tags: your film, film reader, roller over, take-up reel, text over
