FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Checking out periodicals, journals or magazines...

All materials located in Current Periodicals/Microforms Unit are restricted to in-building use. Requests to allow items to leave the building should be directed to the Service Desk Supervisor , who shall grant permission only in cases where in-building use presents a severe hardship. It is possible to photocopy items, including microfilm and microfiche in the Main Library Copy Center located on 2 West adjacent to the Current Periodicals and Microforms.

Back issues of newspapers or newspapers on microfilm

Newspapers on microfilm are arranged alphabetically and chronologically on the black shelving near the current periodicals.

Foreign newspapers...

The mail from many foreign countries can be irregular. Patrons should expect to find that certain papers are always out of date. If you find that a paper is extremely or abnormally out of date, please bring it to our staff's attention. If a problem with the subscription exists we will work to have it corrected.

Bound journals...

There is no longer a specific area designated "Magazine collection". The bound volumes of journals formerly in the magazine collection are now located at their specific call number location in the regular stacks. To locate a specific bound journal it is necessary to obtain its call number from MAGIC.

Recent unbound issues...

Current numbers usually refer to the last 6 months of a periodical. Current can, however, refer to as little as one month or as much as one year depending on the frequency with which the journal is published. If you are in doubt about a particular issue, please feel free to ask for assistance at the Service Desk.

Photocopies of microforms...

Special machines equipped to view and photocopy microfilm and microfiche are located in the Main Library Copy Center on 2-West. Microcopies are 15 centes per page.

Forms of identification needed to look at materials kept behind Service Desk...

Two forms of identification are acceptable; an MSU student or faculty identification card OR a Community borrowing card issued by the library. If you have never used the library before, please go to the Circulation Desk (Main Lobby) to register your MSU I.D. or apply for community borrowing privileges.

"Bind Prep" or "Sent to Bindery"...

A status "Bind Prep" message means that the volume IS AVAILABLE. These items are available at the Current Periodicals/Microforms Service Desk. A status"To Bind" message means that the volume is currently UNAVAILABLE. These items become available again in approximately 4 weeks from the date they were sent. The date an item was sent is displayed in the check in box on Magic, directly below the "to bind" message.

Microfilm... microfiche...

Microfilm comes on a reel. Microfiche comes on a 4X6 transparent sheet. Microforms is a generic term that refers to both.

On microfilm or only bound...

Some MAGIC records list both the microfilm and bound volumes together, but many are broken into a microfilm record and a paper copy record. While most of the film holdings and bound volume holdings do coincide, some do not. To be sure that the volume that you are seeking is on microfilm, you must check the copy holdings screen of the MAGIC microfilm record.

Sunday Classifieds...

Some major U.S. dailies are not distributed to the library directly. Instead they are received through the U.S. mail. This takes aproximately 3-5 days.

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Can periodicals, journals, or magazines be taken out of the library?

Where are back issues of newspapers or newspapers on microfilm?

Where are bound journals kept? OR Where is the Magazine collection?

What does "Recent unbound issues in CURRENT PERIODICALS 2W" mean?

Can photocopies of microforms (microfilm and microfiche) be made? Where?

What form of identification do I need to look at materials kept behind the Service Desk?

What does status "Bind Prep" or "Sent to the Bindery" mean?

What is the difference beween microfilm and microfiche?

The Library Online Catalog indicates that this journal is on microfilm. But when I looked for the year I needed , it was not there. How can I tell what is actually on microfilm and what is only bound?

Why aren't the Sunday Classifieds for many U.S. daily newspapers available on the day they are published?

Whenever you have questions or concerns about current periodicals or the microform collection, please feel free to stop at the PRR/Microforms Service Desk or call PRR/Microforms (432-6123 x222) and ask for assistance. The department can also be reached via e-mail : thornton@msu.edu

page update: December 4, 2006

page editor: webrevu@mail.lib.msu.edu