Microfilm Reels
We have run out of "good" microfilm reels for respooling.
The bad/old reels (any with holes) do NOT work with any microfilm machine, including the newer scanners. Attempting to use the old reels any any of our equipment will cause problems.
If a patron needs the bad/old reels re-spooled, follow these steps:
1) Take a reel of microfilm from the newspaper room that has a good reel (square/square). (such as recent issues of the Washington Post).
2) Respool this "good" reel in order to free up the "good reel".
3) Respool the "bad" reel the patron has presented to you onto this freed up "bad" reel.
Good reel = square/square
Bad reel = square/hole or hole/hole
MOST OF ALL, DO NOT THROW AWAY REELS, EVEN THE BAD ONES. SET ALL ASIDE NEAR THE RESPOOLING MACHINE.
Note: Please disregard info posted today (which has now been deleted) directing folks to use the "bad" reels on microfilm scanners. While it is technically possible to put the "bad" reels on this equipment, you have to put it on in a way that still causes problems. The main problem is that the film is much more likely to split/break when the reel is put on in that manner. As a result, bad reels must always be respooled.