The Shadow
Old newspaper articles, court documents and census records for Alleghany County will be much easier to access now with the new microfilm machine recently installed at the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library.
The machine, which includes a high resolution scanner, computer and color laser printer, was obtained through a grant from WestRock.
The new machine is easy to use, and the microfilm can be quickly loaded and rewound.
The advanced technology allows users to do instant printing and save articles as images to a USB drive or email them, as well as straighten, rotate, crop and enlarge articles and images with a quick click of the mouse. Both text and graphics are more easily read and also print cleaner copies because of the high resolution.
The library’s collection contains more than 500 rolls of microfilm that are organized by date. Each roll contains multiple editions of documents.
In addition to old records from the Alleghany County court, the collection contains most editions of the Covington Virginian/Virginian Review from 1923 until the present; a partial record of the Daily Review from 1893 until 1988; and the Covington Pioneer for 1981 and 1982.
Users do not need a library card to use the microfilm machine. They simply need to stop by the library and ask staff at the circulation desk to set up the machine.
It is helpful to have accurate dates in order to find material quickly.
For more information, call the staff at 962-3321. To use the machine or see a demonstration, stop by the library at 406 W. Riverside Street in Covington.
