This paper was prepared to provide a frame of reference to the role of microfilm within the information retrieval world and to provide an opportunity for evaluation of the use of microforms for active retrieval applications. The paper discusses the principles of information retrieval, considers subject and classification indexing, and describes…

The development of microform-based information storage and retrieval systems is discussed, and the comparative advantages and costs of various approaches are considered. A proposed computer system--Archival Information Dissemination System (AIDS)--to support microform retrieval is outlined. Included are diagrams of sequential flows of information…