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Microforms: Major Sets by Subject: Home

List of major microform collections by subject available in the Kelley Center of Fondren Library. Click on the title to access additional information and resources when available, such as indexes, guides, or electronic sources.

Microform Information

Map of the Kelley Center Area

Located in Fondren Library's basement, the Kelley Center holds over 200 major microform collections, comprised of over 3 million items. The expansive collection covers a wide range of topics, from Congressional Hearings and Department of Energy Reports to the personal papers of Jane Addams and W.E.B. DuBois.

Please note: Most microfilm has been moved to the off-site Library Service Center (LSC). The Houston Post, Houston Chronicle and New Orleans Times-Picayune, and selected others remain. For more information about checking out microfilm from the LSC, see the instructions below or the LibAnswer.

Accouncement: Fondren Library provides access to a partially completed electronic collection of historical issues of the Houston Chronicle. Presently, holdings are available ranging from 1901 through 1963 with extensive gaps. Additional content is added frequently. When completed, the coverage will span from 1901-1985. Issues from 1985 through the current year have are available electronically through Newsbank. Use at library computers or with a Rice login. For issues not available electronically, the microfilm version is in the Microform and Maps room in the basement of Fondren Library.  See a description on the newspapers page of this guide.

On-Site Assistance

https://library.rice.edu/content/kelley-centers-visitorsWe highly encourage you to contact Kelley Center staff to schedule an appointment for microform assistance via email govhelp@rice.edu, or call (713) 348-6212 or (713) 348-5483. Before your visit, please check the web page with the information for Kelley Center's visitors.

When you are on site,

  1. If you need assistance operating the microform equipment:
    • See this LibGuide's Equipment tab for information about operating the machines.
    • Request help from the Kelley Center Information Desk staff.
    • Call (713) 348-6212 or (713) 348-5483 or visit the staff offices (B38, Fondren Library basement).
    • If the Kelley Center information desk is closed or no one is in the office, Digital Media Commons (DMC) professional staff can provide immediate assistance when available. 
    • Email govhelp@rice.edu.
  2. If you need assistance retrieving microfilm from the off-site Library Service Center:
    • First review the box "LSC Retrieval Requests" on this page.
    • Contact the Circulation Department for further assistance: (713) 348-4021, circ@rice.edu.
  3. If you need assistance with searching and/or locating microforms:
    • Use this LibGuide. Navigate with the tabs at the top and the boxes on each page; review the resources for tips and help on finding and searching microform materials. 
    • Contact the Kelley Center Government Information Coordinator via email govhelp@rice.edu, or phone (713) 348-6212 or (713) 348-5483, or visit the office (B38A, Fondren Library basement; ring the doorbell).
    • Contact your subject librarian or email ask@rice.libanswers.com, which can reach all subject librarians.

Contributors of this LibGuide

Anna Xiong. Government Information Coordinator, Kelley Center. jax2@rice.edu. Primary contact for government information, maps, and microform collections.
Hannah Edlund. Government Information/Patent Librarian, Kelley Center. he3@rice.edu

Major Microforms by Subject

Fondren owns microforms on a myriad of topics. Browse LibGuides for major sets of microforms by topics listed on this page, repeated on the tabs above. The LibGuide entries link to catalog records with short descriptions and information about print and online guides if any exist. Descriptions too long to enter on a catalog record can be found under "more..." on the LibGuide entry. 

This guide was prepared by Kelley Center staff with the help of the following library student workers: Jonathan Espino, Betty Huang, Jordan Murley, Erin O'Neill, Thresa Skeslien Jenkins, and Michelle Wang.

LSC Retrieval Requests

LSC request form: https://library.rice.edu/requests/lsc-retrieval-request  

  • Deliveries are made Monday-Friday, with the exception of holidays.
  • Requests are delivered to the library based on time of submission:
    • Submissions before 9 am arrive the same morning
    • Submissions before 2 pm arrive the same day
    • Submissions after 2 pm arrive the next business day. 
  • For weekend use, please submit requests before 2 pm on Friday.
  • Up to 25 microfilms may be requested per day.
  • Your requested film will be held at the Circulation Desk for 2 weeks.
  • Microfiche and microcards remain in Fondren Library's Kelley Center.

Need more assistance with LSC Retrieval? Please contact Circulation Department: (713) 348-4021, circ@rice.edu.

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