In the mid-20th century, libraries and archives began using microforms as a way to preserve decaying newspaper collections. Deteriorating books and newspapers were preserved on film in order to maintain accessibility and use.
There are still many advantages to microforms today:
- Microforms are compact and inexpensive, allowing libraries to expand collections, while reducing storage and other costs.
- When produced properly, microforms have a life expectancy of up to 500 years and are easy to maintain.
- Access to rare, valuable, or fragile items is enabled and there are very few incidents of microform theft.