'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Public Library's microfilm collection

This week's edition of Turnback Tuesday views the world of microfilm, a medium for storing documents and newspapers.

The first commercial use for microfilm started in the 1920s with copies of bank records.

Then, in the 1930s, a microfilm camera paved the way for the preservation of newspapers.

Although microfilm started out as a way to preserve, it ended up being used in libraries as a way to access information.

Here at the Derby Public Library, we have two microfilm machines and 933 rolls of microfilm to view.

The newspapers on microfilm go back to 1846 starting with the Derby Journal, to the Derby Transcript, then the Evening Sentinel and ending with the New Haven Register until 2019.

We invite you to come to the Library to do your historical research, while a friendly staff member is always available to help you find a copy of a birth record, an obituary, a school game result or a wedding announcement.

We look forward to seeing you.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.