Microform—Not extinct yet: Results of a long-term microform use study in the digital age

• Microform shows steady use over time
• Microfilm is the most used format and newspapers are the most used material
• Electronic versions provide better access but microform is better for preservation
• Microform will be used when the online version is not available
• Microform will be used when the online version does not duplicate the original

This paper presents results taken from 2008 to 2010 of an ongoing microform use study. The number of titles used is evenly distributed over time with microfilm being the most used format and newspapers accounting for half of all usage. When publications are available electronically, users may still use the microform version. This study illustrates how microform and electronic collections are complementary—electronic materials provide better access but microform is better for preservation. Users prefer electronic materials but will also use microform when there is no online version available or when the online version is not an exact copy of the original.