MICROPHOTOGRAPHY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

MICROPHOTOGRAPHY

Value In Libraries The application of mierophotograpby to librarianship evisaged the time when rare and precious books would be available to all libraries which had the equipment necessary to project the film Strip on which the books would be recorded, said Mr. W. Stirling, who addressed the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Library Association ou “Mierophotograpby in Libraries” recently. For example, lie said, it would be possible for scholars to study the Codex'Sinaiticus in' Wellington without the expense of journeying to the British Museum. The more practical use of this technique was for copying extracts from books at a small cost. It obviates the necessity of laborious note-taking and gave an exact reproduction of the extract required. This service might be made available to the public at. a small charge. Mr. Stirling has for some time been reproducing books and documents using a miniature camera, and lie recommended this method as suitable for New Zealand requirements. Tlie basis of bis address was an account and demonstration of the camera, the methods of developing the negative film strip, the printing of the positive film strip, printing on to bromide paper, and the projection of film strips. Much useful technical information was given, including the use of the various filters, non-inflammable fllm> and colour processes.