In a message dated 4/23/99 10:01:16 PM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > I sent this information to several other mailing lists that I subscribe > to and the response was overwhelming, so I thought I'd share the > information with a few other lists. > > Just thought I'd pass some information on that might prove helpful to > those interested in the purchase of a microfiche/microfilm reader. > > I was in the market for a reader myself so I could save some trips back > and forth to the LDS center or library to view the same films over and > over. I always felt like I was rushed and it always seemed that there > were a line of people waiting to use the readers. I began looking > around for one to buy for my home and found them to be very expensive > for the amount of use it may get. Then someone suggested I look into > the State surplus equipment. > > I live in the State of Maryland and they have a surplus warehouse open > to the public for purchase of used state office equipment. Well I > stopped by there recently and found that they had about 10 different > machines for sale ranging from very large ones with attached printers to > > smaller desktop types. They ranged in price from $25 to $40. I > purchased one of the smaller ones for $25 and it is absolutely perfect > for home use. It was in very good condition and will suffice nicely for > > genealogy home use. I have already begun ordering microfilm rolls for > about $10 each and hope to put together a collection of those I use most > > in a very short time. > > I'm not sure if all states have such a surplus warehouse, but it > certainly is worth checking if you're looking for a good price on a used > > reader. Hope this proves to be of help to someone as it sure was a find > > for me. Good luck. I must caution you first, the machines that they > have > available are mostly MICROFICHE readers, but with a little ingenuity, > they > can be rigged to run microfilm rolls through as well. Most of them > appeared to be in fairly good condition and you can plug and test them > right on site. It might be a good idea to take a fiche/film along just > to try out. > Note, all sales are final, so what you get is what you live with! > > The State Surplus Warehouse in Maryland is located on Brockbridge Rd. in > the Jessup area. From I-95, take Rt. 175 east to Brockbridge Rd. and > turn > right. Follow Brockbridge Rd. past the House of Corrections and the > Women's > Prison and you will eventually come to the Warehouse on the left side of > the > road. You can also access it from Rt. 32 by taking the Dorsey Run Rd. > exit > and following it around to Brockbridge, but it's a little more > confusing. > Hope this helps and good luck to you. Let me know if I can help you any > > further. > > Mike Kearney > >