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

• It's not working

When 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 in compact stacks, arranged by collection.

These cabinets are across from the UES Circulation Desk.

Fiche reader

Fiche
Cabinets
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

3. Use Morris to find a record; or

5. 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
USING THE CIS PRINT INDEX

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.

Notice the CIS number

from a page in the CIS
Index
Use LexisNexis Congressional
Step 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!