Microforms are a researcher’s best-kept secret. Although often overlooked, they contain as many books as the Collections’ physical rare book holdings, as well as unpublished papers from major archives around the world. For example, who would have guessed that one may read all the books in the library of John Dee without going to London, or the unpublished papers of Isaac Newton without going to Cambridge or Jerusalem?

This brief guide lists some of the microform series available, including Landmarks of Science and the Manuscripta collection. However, they are no longer available in the History of Science Collections on the 5th floor.

As of August 2013, history of science microforms are now integrated with the Libraries’ microform collection and held in remote storage. Upon request via Sooner Express, microforms will be delivered to the microform reading station in Government Documents, 4th floor, Bizzell Library. This arrangement provides improved hours of access and ensures more up-to-date and functioning readers.