The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the issues surrounding the future of microfilm in a digital age with particular reference to historical archive materials.
Based on personal experience of the microform publishing market and from a paper presented at the National Preservation Office’s annual conference, 2007, Second life for collections.
Sales figures from Japan for microform publications show a decline of 60 per cent over the last ten years. Recent demand falls in the niche market of print‐on‐demand microfilms and archival collections requested by academic institutions.
Discusses the pros and cons of preservation methods for archival material in various formats, i.e. digital, and the role of microfilm in archival publishing. Explores current issues of copyright, pricing policies and the long‐term future for microfilm use within research and archival collections.
A personal view from a publisher of academic microform, which assesses the current situation and poses questions for the future survival, use and preservation of microfilmed information.
