Microformats

Handling microformats

Please use nitrile (not cotton) gloves to handle all microformats. Try to handle only the edges.

When the contents of a box of nitrile gloves has deteriorated, discard and replace the box. In general, when gloves look normal, can be stretched without surface cracks, and can be pulled onto the hand without breaking or tearing, they probably will provide the level of protection they were designed to provide. Gloves that have deteriorated during storage will have definite signs of deterioration. They will tear easily when stressed and will develop a hard surface that cracks when stretched. The inside of powder-free gloves that do not have a separate donning layer may change from a tough polymer to a gooey substance.

The ST View/Scan II microform reader/scanner

Picture quality

For better picture quality on the ST ViewScan II microform reader/scanner, select 1200 dpi (click on Capture, Output, Resolution).

The camera works from top left when enlarging.

If files are too big and/or taking too long to transfer, try downscaling to 300 dpi.

+/-: Avoid. Digital zoom is inferior to manual zoom. Use Magnify to increase pixel count by magnitudes of 4. 

To reduce cropping of page into tiny box: under the Cropping tab, click on Magnify.

Usage statistics

To obtain usage statistics such as a scan count, follow these steps.

1. Open software.
2. Click File.
3. Click About.

Printing scans

Occasionally patrons wish to print from the ST ViewScan II. This is tricky as it isn't networked to a printer. Here is a workaround:

1. Insert a USB drive into the computer (there are spare drives in Christina's drawers).
2. In the File tab, select the images to print, select Adobe PDF (Default) in the drop-down menu, and click Print. 
3. Save the file with an intuitive name. I recommend the call number of the film as patrons sometimes make scans from several films and have difficulty remembering which film contained which frames.
4. Eject the drive.
5. Insert the drive into the printer's USB port.
6. Using the down arrow key, navigate to the file and click the OK button. 

Troubleshooting

Occasionally, the ViewScan software turns off. This problem can be solved by inserting a pencil point into the small hole on the right side of the scanner and pushing the small button inside. 

If the lamp won't turn on, try disconnecting and reconnecting the power supply (the brick connecting the scanner to the outlet). 

The microcard reader

Occasionally, a patron wishes to view a microcard. These may be scanned with a smartphone camera, however we do have a microcard reader. It resides in the beige locker opposite the last bank of microfilm cabinets. 

Other microform reader/scanners on campus

There are no ST ViewScan III or IV models on campus as of August 15, 2023. The Fine Arts Library has a colour ST ViewScan II. Houghton Library has a Scan Pro 3500.