HRAF --> pdf

February 11, 2012 7:17 PM

I have a document in microfiche, and it's also found in HRAF (Human Relations Area Files). How can I best get the document in .pdf and printed format?

I requested a document by Inter-Library Loan, and I picked it up not realizing it was on microfiche. I'm heading out of town on Monday for a working vacation, and I want to take it with me where I may not have internet access. I found out it's on HRAF (Human Relations Area Files).

I haven't been able to figure out how to get the document out of HRAF, can I save it as a .pdf or print it from there? Otherwise, I can probably get back to the library tomorrow if printing/scanning it from microfiche is my only option. How does that usually work at a campus library (I'm at ASU)? Thanks for any help!

posted by TungstenChef to Technology (5 answers total)

Best answer: The microfiche machines I've used at a campus library were attached to coin operated printers IIRC. You insert the microfiche (there should be a placard with instructions on how to use it somewhere on or near the machine), manipulate the film with the control dials to where you want the image to be, and then insert the coins to print. In my campus library, there was a desk with a librarian nearby, and I'm sure they'd be helpful if you had any questions.

Don't know anything about HRAF though, I'm afraid.
posted by girih knot at 8:05 PM on February 11, 2012

Best answer: It's not possible to download full document files from the eHRAF - the HRAF wasn't really made for that. You can go through all the pages and mark all the paragraphs for export, although that's really no easier than going to each page, copying the text, and pasting it into a featureless text file.
posted by cobaltnine at 8:25 PM on February 11, 2012

Best answer: When I was in the same boat (at a different campus library), I was able to use the microfiche machine to "scan" to pdf and then print.
posted by oceano at 8:26 PM on February 11, 2012

You need credentials to get to the HRAF link.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:17 PM on February 11, 2012

Response by poster: Thanks everyone, looks like I'll have to hoof it back to the library today.
posted by TungstenChef at 10:59 AM on February 12, 2012