Abstract: A microfiche reader according to the present invention includes a housing consisting of a hood portion and a base portion, a screen located within the hood portion and visible through the front end of the hood, a combined microfiche carriage and index holder, a lens assembly and a projection system. The combined microfiche carriage and index holder serves to accurately locate the microfiche with respect to the index grid. By reason of the fact that there is no relative movement between the index grid and the microfiche in use, it is always possible to accurately locate the microfiche with respect to the projection system by reference to the index grid. The index grid is illuminated by an index illuminating lens carried by the housing. The illuminating lens is located in a fixed relationship with respect to the projection path which again contributes to the facility with which the microfiche may be accurately located in the projection path.