Microform Equipment
& Copying

General Information:
Self-serve equipment for reading and printing from The WWU Libraries' extensive microform collections is located on Wilson Library 2 West.  In addition to a variety of microfilm and microfiche readers located around the floor there are four Minolta microform self-serve reader printers. 

The quality of a microform image can vary greatly, often depending on the condition of the original materials.  Some images may be dark and poorly photographed.  In some cases the microform material itself may have discolored with age.  Because of this it is advisable to always examine the document to be copied to paper carefully and completely before beginning.  If some sections of the document contain poor images make a test print or two before beginning to copy at length.  Note that refunds are only made in cases of machine malfunction - not for bad copies.

The four Minolta reader printers are equipped with an automatic loading universal carriage capable of accommodating a both standard and "ultra" microfiche as well as rolls of both 35mm and 16mm microfilm.  Instructions for loading microfilm are located on each machine as a printed sheet and in picture form near the microfilm reel spindle.  Lenses for these machines can be changed by the Media Desk staff to suit the material being used.  Each unit is equipped with a copy-card reader - only one unit has a coin-box.  Microform-to-paper copies are $0.10 per page.  The coin-box only accepts dimes.

There is also one reader for micro-opaque cards.  This machine does not print to paper.

Assistance:
For assistance with the reader printers the Media Desk can be contacted using the courtesy phone located next to the door to the Audio / Visual Room near the reader printers.  To add copy money to your Western Card or copy-card  use the photocopier located down the hall going back towards Wilson 2 Central.  Bills can be exchanged for coin at the Media Desk or Haggard Circulation.

Copying By the Media Desk Staff:
The Media Desk staff can copy some material types for users.  The fee for this service is $0.15 per page.  The job, depending on its size and other activity and staffing at the Media Desk,  may take more than one day to complete. 

Note that the staff will only copy what is asked for and will not evaluate the the quality of each image.  As noted above we strongly recommend that you examine the document to be copied carefully and completely before submitting a copy job to the Media Desk. Note that the Media Desk does not offer a research service - the staff will not locate and evaluate materials for you.

Updated June 2002