Utah State Archives Micrographic Services

Documents to Microfilm

Part 2 of 3

The micrographics department at the Utah State Archives is a full service microfilm department, meaning micrographics can develop, duplicate, and store both 16mm and 35mm films. Micrographics can also capture digital images to microfilm as well as produce digital images from microfilm and microfiche. The following post is part 2 of a 3 part series on the services available by the micrographics department.

Creating Images on Microfilm

Micrographics currently microfilm materials such as cemetery records, court records, birth and death certificates, minute books, fingerprint cards, and etc. The advantage to microfilming such records is that microfilm is the main preservation medium for archiving permanent records. Microfilm is an incredibly stable preservation format, if stored correctly and not accessed for use the film will last 500 years. Reference copies that are used on a regular basis will last between 10-20 years depending on the frequency of use and storage conditions.

Kodak 35mm Camera

Developing Microfilm

Once documents are microfilmed, Micrographics uses the Houston Fearless microfilm processor to develop the film for 65 cameras, scanners, and the Archives’ digital film converter. Since July of 2012 micrographics has developed over 2,000 master microfilm rolls. In order to ensure consistency in image quality, a control strip is run every morning before beginning to develop any film. The turn around time for developing and quality control of the film is generally about a week.

Houston Fearless Microfilm Processor