With the spread of digitization, microfilming of collections runs a risk of being phased out. However, as support for digitization is based on its potential to open up collections for use, preservation of originals threatens to move into the background. The focus has shifted to creating and preserving digital materials that are attractive to large groups of users. Although microfilming may be regarded as an outdated technology for facilitating access to collections, it is still a viable option when the primary aim is keeping the information contained in deteriorating originals, especially for specialist materials that are of value for only small groups of users and do not have priority in a digitization programme. This paper discusses digitization and microfilming from a preservation perspective, on the basis of the assumption that they are developing into complementary strategies for preserving information and access to that information.
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