Skip Navigation Bar

Microfilm Sales Program Fact Sheet

As part of its preservation program, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has microfilmed brittle serials and monographs in core medical subjects and selected non-brittle materials in the historical collection. Individuals and institutions may purchase microfilm copies of titles NLM has filmed.

Availability Of Microfilm

To determine if microfilm is available, requesting parties must search NLM's online catalog, LocatorPlus http://www.locatorplus.gov. When a title has been retrieved from the catalog, select “MARC View.” In the following example, the information needed to place an order is in bold.

 

Call number 060 00 |a W1 |b AM469
Film number 060 00 |a Film S03040
Title 245 04 |a The American journal of insanity
Microfilm available 533 __ |m v.1-77 (1844-1921) |a Microfilm. |b [Bethesda, Md.] : |c National Library of Medicine, |d 1998. |e 24 microfilm reels : negative ; 35 mm.

 

Submitting Orders

Submit orders to NLM by mail, email, phone or fax. Use “NLM MICROFILM SALES” as the subject line of an e-mail request. For phone requests, please leave a voice message.

Microfilm Sales
Preservation & Collection Management Section
Bldg. 38, Room B1E21
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894

e-mail nlmmicrosales@mail.nih.gov
Phone 301-402-3504
Fax 301-480-1954

The following Information is Required:

  • Call number or film number, title, and the total number of reels. For serials, specify the volumes and years needed.
  • Requestor's name, complete address and phone number. Provide fax number and e-mail address if available.
  • For works still under copyright protection, written proof of copyright clearance or permission from the copyright holder.

NLM inspects the microfilm and sends the film directly to the duplication vendor (Backstage Library Works) unless there are text legibility or image quality problems, or if any pages are missing from the filmed version of the text. In such cases the Library will contact the requesting party and determine if the party still wants to buy a copy of the film.

Cost

The cost for each microfilm reel is:

  • Through Sept. 29, 2010: $58.75 plus standard UPS shipping
  • Starting Sept. 30, 2010: $62.90 plus standard UPS shipping

There will be an additional charge for special shipping arrangements, including rush delivery service.

Copies are made using 35mm positive silver microfilm. The minimum order is one full reel. (Reels are duplicated without alteration, so a reel may contain images of more monograph titles or journal issues than were requested.)

Payment and Shipping

Upon receipt of order information and master microfilm reels from NLM, Backstage Library Works contacts requestors directly to get payment information. Note that orders for more than ten reels may take longer to process.

  • Credit Cards: Orders for ten or fewer reels will be processed and filled within ten days after credit card information has been received.
  • Checks / Money Orders: Orders for ten or fewer reels will be processed within ten days after verification that the check or money order has cleared.
  • Purchase Orders: Orders for ten or fewer reels received from recognized institutions and commercial accounts will be processed and filled within ten days.

Direct all questions about payment and shipping to:

Backstage Library Works 
ATTN: NLM Microfilm Sales
Nine S. Commerce Way
Bethlehem, PA 18017-8916

e-mail: info@bslw.com
Phone 800-773-7222
Fax 610-758-9700

A complete list of NLM Fact Sheets is available at:
(alphabetical list) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsheets.html
(subject list): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsubj.html

Or write to:

FACT SHEETS
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20894

Phone: (301) 496-6308
Fax: (301) 496-4450
email: publicinfo@nlm.nih.gov