How to Use Microfiche

"Eeeeew. Microfiche. Yuck!" Well, it's not perfect, but it's a good way to store lots of

information that doesn't get used very often without doubling the size of the library.

We'll even make it up you by letting you print it out for free.

Do you need to cite check a

superseded state statute?

Need the full text of an

older congressional

hearing that's not online?

Want to read the

CFR from 1953?

Need a court brief?

Fiche or film

Most of the Law Library's microform holdings are on microfiche, those little plastic cards. Some items are on microfilm, the stuff that comes on little round reels. Luckily, our readers will take fiche or film, just follow the directions on the machine.

How small is "micro"

• Microforms come in various sizes. Some are relatively large 24x (24 times smaller than in real life) while others are truly tiny 48x (48 times smaller than in real life). The lenses on the scanners are zoom lenses. That means you can adjust the size of the image by turning the zoom ring on the lens. It's the blue ring in the picture.

• If you've zoomed all the way in, and the image on the screen is still too small, you're probably using a really "micro" piece of microfiche like the Congressional Record. Ask a librarian for the "bigger" lens.

• The lower grey ring (closest to the glass) is what you turn to adjust the focus. The upper grey ring (the one that's not as "pointy" as the other two) is to rotate the image on the screen.

Microform Readers on the UES• High tech microform:

reader/printer/scannersYou can send the scanned image to the printer for paper copies, or to the computer for electronic copies.

• It's not workingWhen the computer doesn't recognize the scanner, or gives you an error message, you might have to turn everything off, then turn it all back on, from left to right (printer first, then the scanner, the computer last). Ask a reference librarian for more help, if needed.

The Microfiche Area on the UES

Fiche Cabinets

Fiche reader

Fiche cabinets in compact stacks, arranged by collection. These cabinets are across from the UES Circulation Desk.

The microfiche area on the LES

Fiche cabinets

Microfiche cabinets on the LES are located at the mid-point of the hallway. Readers are on the UES.

Locate the fiche that you need

1. Use the Library Microfiche Guide available in print and online; or

2. Use Morris to find a record; or

3. Use a specialized database to find by citation.

Use the Library Microfiche Guide

• Located Online, at the Reference Desk, and by the Microfiche Desk on the UES.

• Contains a listing of all the fiche and the location

Use Morris to find a record

• Will help you to locate Congressional hearings

• Historical treatises

• Bar Journals

Remember to insert a “fiche in use” card when looking at a piece of film.

Example using Morris

Example using Morris

The location will tell you if the fiche is on site or at the library shelving facility (LSF).

From here, use the fiche guide to find which cabinet the fiche is located in.

When the Fiche is at LSF

Use the “Request” button to request the fiche from our storage facility. When the fiche arrives, the law library circulation desk will send you an email.

Use a specialized source to find certain fiche

• Congressional Documents

• Court Records and Briefs

Use a Specialized Source – Congressional Documents

• Congressional Hearings, Bills and Reports are organized by CIS number

Locate the CIS number:• LexisNexis Congressional will give you

CIS numbers that help you to locate Congressional Reports and documents.

• This information is also available in Print, in the CIS Index. Location: Reading Room,  KF49 .C62

• Also on Morris for hearings: CIS number

1. 1970 – Present. Legislative histories start in 1984

2. Organized within by public law number

3. Lists all the documents in the legislative history

4. Gives a CIS citation to locate the CIS microfiche.

5. CIS does not publish the Congressional Record.

USING THE CIS PRINT INDEX

Notice the CIS number from a page in the CIS Index

Use LexisNexis CongressionalStep One: Run a Search

STEP TWO: LOCATE THE CIS NUMBER

STEP THREE: GO TO FICHE

Use a Specialized Source – Court Records and Briefs

Some court records in fiche are organized by docket number – you can locate the docket number for a case by its caption.

LOCATING THE DOCKET NUMBER

Ask a Librarian for Help

The reference librarians and reference assistants work together to provide effective research assistance through various methods:

• In-Person – Reference Desk on L3 and Circulation Desk on the UES. See: http://www.law.yale.edu/library/about/reference.asp

• Telephone - 203-432-1606• Email - lawref@pantheon.yale.edu• AIM – ylslibrary• Yahoo! Messenger – ylslibrary• Google Talk - ylslibrary@gmail.com• Text Message - send text message to 265-010 (type

ylslibrary and then your question)

Please take a moment to look at our fish while you look at

your fiche!