Microforms at the National Archives Center
The National Archives Center adopted the technique of microfilming due to its advantages, effectiveness and success. Its aim is to limit the damage of documents and to communicate and restore the information as fast as possible. The service of microfilm and reprography, particularly the microfilm laboratory did many microfilming operations of archives fonds, such as Al Mahakim Al Shari’a fonds, civil status fonds, health fonds… and other important fonds which constitute the archives fonds preserved at the stacks of the National Archives Center.
Types of microforms
Microforms come in different sizes, shapes and characteristics, despite their differences in size and shape; they can be gathered under two categories:
Roll Microforms:
bobbin, cassette, cartridge
Flat (Sheet) Microforms:
microfiches, jackets, perforated card, opaque card.
Steps of making microforms
The process of making microforms in the microfilm laboratory has many stages:
Shooting
It is done using a special shooting device of microfilm and must take place in a dark room with only the light of the device for a good quality of shooting.
Developing
It is done in a special room using a special device called the developer in the presence of chemical solutions (developer and fixer) and under a special light because an inconvenient light would damage the films
Reading
The purpose of this operation is to ensure the quality of films and the success of shooting and developing using a reading device.
Duplicating
It is done after ensuring the quality of the original films; they will be reproduced into other duplicates with the same quality and as requested.
Preserving
It is the last stage during which the original films and their duplicates are preserved in special closets and envelopes.
Currently, the laboratory works on the digitization of microfilms fonds using uscan. device which is considered one of the most modern devices purchased by the Center for the sake of digitization.