[1441] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Microform vs. CD-ROM
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (maul%VASSAR.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu)
Fri Oct 9 14:29:22 1992
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 13:21:46 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: maul%VASSAR.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I have been frustrated by the poor access to large primary source
microfilm collections and wished they were in digitized CD-ROM or other
computer searchable format. As the material itself is a rich resource I
don't want to turn my back on it, but I keep wondering how much longer
microforms will be produced and how much longer or if at all, libraries
should continue to buy them. Also, if there were a way to digitize them
from the film into a computer readable format, no doubt it would be
illegal even though they are originally public domain documents. The film
was commercially produced.
Does anyone have thoughts on this or know a lot I don't know? You
may respond to me directly unless you think this is of general and
appropriate interest. Thank you. Shirley Maul, Head of Readers Services
and Reference. Vassar College, Box 404, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601
maul@vassar.edu
