Using Microfilms for Research

Did you know that the Worcester Public Library has newspapers and magazines on microfilms you can use for research? Our newspaper collection includes the Telegram and Gazette from late 1800 onwards and other local and national newspapers like the Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Our magazine collection on microfilm includes hundreds of magazines with full-text articles, some obscure titles going back to the early 1900s. 

16mm microfilm reels

You may wonder what is unique about these microfilms! If we stored these old items from 1800s in print format, most of them would be too fragile to handle today. Also, they would take up rows and rows of shelving. Microfilms allow us to preserve these delicate collections for future generations in a format that is easy to use, take up very little space and are excellent sources of historical information.

35mm microfilm reels

Genealogists tracing family histories can find a wealth of information when they are looking for obituaries and death notices. If the ancestor’s death was in any way unusual, it may have even been written up as a news article where they might find clues to their ancestor's lives. 

Worcester Evening Gazette - Sept 23, 1927

Students can use microfilms to find primary sources when they are researching historic events. Monumental events from the past, such as World War I and II and the Great Depression to name a few, can be researched easily. Students today can learn how such events shaped the world!

Microfilm machine - Scanpro

Not only do microfilms make research fun and interesting, they also allow you to transfer the information easily with the touch of a button. You can print, save or email the article so it is in your safe keeping forever. Check the local history/genealogy page and the newspapers and magazines page of our website, for what is available on microfilm at the the Main Branch. Call us at 508-799-1655 - ext 3, send us an email or chat with us if you have any questions!