Newspapers | 9
Technical considerations are few. Being original print on paper copies of the serials, they can be read without the aid of machinery, save lighting. Bound volumes may obscure text or images near the binding, but this is usually a minor issue. Reproductions can usually be made with standard photocopiers, though fragile or oversized pieces may need to be reproduced by archival staff or be excluded from reproduction altogether. Conservation concerns, on the other hand, are many. Unlike pre-20th-century books, most newspapers were published on inferior paper that requires specific humidity and care to maintain it. As newspapers are used by researchers they become damaged by not only the movement of pages but also the dirt and oils on their fingertips. Even the light and adverse humidity within the reading rooms will eventually degrade most newspapers beyond the point where they can be consulted. It is for this reason that reproductions are becoming more and more important for historians. Microfilm / Microfiche The next technological step up from loose or bound originals is the use of microfilm or microfiche. These provide miniature reproductions of the newspapers on either reels (Microfilm) or sheets (Microfiche) which are then viewed on special readers that backlight and magnify the image. In terms of research methodology, microfilm and fiche can be moved through linearly, as with bound volumes, keeping articles within the context of their pages and issues. However, the researcher can also move quickly through weeks or years with little physical effort. Like bound volumes, however, there is no simple method for quickly identifying specific information without the aid of secondary literature or an index. Practically, there are many important considerations when using microfilm or microfiche. Both formats usually contain multiple issues of the newspaper, ranging from several days to several years, in a lightweight and easily movable medium. Because of this, researchers will have to make fewer individual requests from librarians and may even have direct access to otherwise rare or fragile newspapers. They can also be shipped between libraries and archives with relative ease and safety. Machinery is required to view, but is simple and widely accessible, being composed primarily of a backlight and magnifying glass, neither likely to become obsolete or require updating in the near future (unlike digital reproductions). Many of these also allow the user to print their current view, making the reproduction of articles a much quicker process. However, high printing fees — often more than 50p per page in many archives — should be taken into consideration when planning a research budget. In terms of long-term historical preservation, the life expectancy of properly stored microfilm and microfiche is 500 years, though they are susceptible to some fungal