Microfiche

[Koleta B Tilson <kbtilson@SACAM.OREN.ORTN.EDU>]

In our high school library media center, we most often serve
classes of students.  We find the full-text CD-ROM products less
adaptable in this context than are CD-INDEXES supported by
the full-text microfiche.  A conscious decision to incorporate
the microfiche format into our operation followed a research
review completed in the early 1980's (prior to the availability
of CD-ROM products).
The extensive probe into the inconclusive microfiche studies
proved of limited benefit and contributed little to the decision.
The DOD and university based receptivity studies involved no
children or adolescents (youngsters do not need bifocals etc).
Additionally, the studies were conducted prior to the
availability of plain paper reader/printers (99% of our use
involves immediate conversion to hard copy).
The following motivated us to consider the microformat in the
early 1980's: (1) products we needed were becoming available on
microfiche (often an exclusive format), and (2) storage space was
becoming scarce.  The greatest benefit now realized was not
anticipated: our students favor the independence with which they
are able retrieve and use the fiche.
The retrieval difference under the TOM and NEWSBANK indexing systems,
for example, requires practice which, we feel, helps students refine
skills of location because the depository is self-service.  The librarians
request the students use a "file out flag" and DUMP the fiche after use
so that we can file them.  (Students cooperate very well in this regard
and in a busy day we refile a hundred or more microfiche).  If a
periodical article is available on both formats, we reserve the
right to request that students screen the article on the microfiche
before requesting a hard copy to check out.
Our high volume month approached 1000 microfiche copies.  We were
recently able to reduce the price of a copy to 5 cents to encourage the
less labor intensive delivery provided by the aforementioned system of
using the microforms.
Since we purchased the GREAT AMERICAN WRITERS SERIES in 1984, hundreds of
students preparing literary research reports have used these New York
Times articles.  One of the indexes is practically worn out.  Although
many providers of fiche have liberal replacement policies, we have found
that the microfiche hold up better than the printed indexes.
All of the microfiche products currently used in our library are 24x
except COREFICHE.  We received donated microfiche readers from businesses
which moved from microfiche as a record keeping format. Most of the
donated readers have COM lens with greater magnification power than
requred by the products we use.  Lens are difficult to find.  We paid $70
each when we purchased replacement lens in 1988.
CONCLUSION:  As an archival medium, the microfiche format is ideal for
high school use because of product availability,
break-out factor, and permanence. (Not to mention self service,
storage, and retrieval). A good reader/printer is necessary to
accomplish user receptivity.  As record keeping format,
microfiche is no longer deemed satisfactory because of the
limited search and retrieval capability.
Koleta Tilson, Librarian
Sullivan Central High School
Blountville, TN 37617 (615) 279-2411
kbtilson@sacam.oren.ortn.edu