Mikrofilm

Mikrofilm is a photographic process used to reduce documents or images onto a much smaller film, typically strips of polyester base or sheets of acetate. This miniaturization allows for the efficient storage of vast amounts of information in a significantly reduced physical space. The primary purpose of microfilm is archival preservation and information retrieval. Documents that were once stored in bulky filing cabinets could be condensed onto reels of film, making them easier to handle, duplicate, and protect from deterioration.

The process typically involves photographing the original documents using a specialized camera that exposes the film frame by frame. Once developed, the film contains reduced-size images of the original materials. To view these images, a microfilm reader, a projection device, is necessary. These readers magnify the film onto a screen, allowing users to read the contents. Microfilm has been widely used by libraries, archives, government agencies, and businesses for decades to preserve important records, such as newspapers, historical documents, and financial records. While digital storage has become increasingly prevalent, microfilm remains a viable and often preferred medium for long-term archival purposes due to its stability and resistance to magnetic degradation.