Guide to Microforms in Print has a long publishing history. The title first appeared in the early 1960s and for many years was produced by Meckler from the USA on a mainly annual basis. Saur took over the reins in the early 1990s. It continued annual publication and split the work into two volumes, in the case of 2002 covering A‐K and L‐Z. The author‐title listing here under review has a companion subject guide also published annually in two volumes (Euro 398.00 ISSN 0163 8386). Both are updated by a supplement (Euro 128.00 ISSN 0164 0739) that contains author/title and subject sequences and appears approximately six months after the original volumes.
The 2002 author‐title listing records more than 200,000 titles on microfilm rolls, micro‐opaque cards, text fiches and microfiches available from 297 publishers and distributors worldwide. About 9,700 microforms are new to this edition. Among the types of material listed are monographs, periodicals, newspapers, almanacs, government publications and archival records. All microforms included are available from publishers and distributors on a “current and regular basis” (Foreword). It is noticeable that although the scope is undoubtedly international with a good number of foreign language publications represented, about half the participating publishers and distributors operate from the USA.
Although described as “author‐title” these volumes are actually a title main‐entry listing with cross‐references from authors, editors and variant titles. Arrangement is in four columns using a fairly small typeface typical of similar publications such as Bowker’s Books in Print. Information provided on each microform can include, depending on the information provided by the publisher or distributor: author(s)/editor(s), number of volumes, place and date of publication, type of microform, price and ISBN/ISSN. All entries also give an indication of subject matter in the form of three digit Dewey classification number. Supporting the main listing are keys to the abbreviation and currency symbols employed, a guide to the Dewey classification, a “Survey of subjects” comprising a reasonably detailed A‐Z subject heading list with associated class numbers and an A‐Z index of publishers and distributors. It should be noted that the complementary subject guide is arranged by Dewey classification. It also includes a very useful index of persons as subjects.
Conveying such a wealth of information in condensed format can only be achieved by heavy use of abbreviation. Herein lies what is probably this work’s only significant drawback apart from lack of an electronic version. Abbreviations are used so heavily, for example 17 different codes are used to indicate type of microform, that it is often difficult to interpret an entry without recourse to the introductory matter. Of course, this problem is largely unavoidable. Those who use the work regularly will develop a familiarity with the jumble of letters and numbers that appear to make up many entries. Occasional users, however, may struggle and would be assisted by greater explanatory matter in the initial pages and, particularly, an annotated sample entry that could be used for quick reference.
Guide to Microforms in Print is the only register of available microforms produced on an international basis. As such it performs an invaluable function especially for research libraries that need to establish whether it is possible to acquire copies of rare and specialist material. Any library needing a run of the South Australian Government Gazette from 1830 to 1969 can find it is obtainable from the New York Public Library. Similarly those that think their users might benefit from access to a copy of How to Dress on £15 a Year: As a Lady, written in 1873 by Millicent Whiteside Cook, will establish that Chadwyck Healey is the company to call.
