Rights & Reproductions
Reproduction Services
The Science History Institute provides digital reproductions of materials for scholarly and general use. Requests are fulfilled to the extent allowed by the format, physical condition, and any applicable restrictions of the original work. The Institute reserves the right to revise or refuse a reproduction request.
Request a Reproduction
To request a reproduction, please email reproductions@sciencehistory.org with the following information:
- Identifying information for the item: object ID number, collection name, title, and call number, or a link to the catalog entry
- A brief description of your intended use of the reproduction
- The desired file format type: .TIF, .JPG, .m4a, etc.; if unknown, Institute staff may suggest a format based on your intended use
- The deadline for image receipt, if applicable
The average turnaround time for digitization is about two weeks. Large-scale orders may require additional time. A rush order may be arranged if staff time and availability allow. Additional charges may be assessed for rush orders. See Fees and Pricing for more information.
Fees and Pricing
Reproduction fees are assessed based on the staff time and resources required to complete a request. Discounts and waivers are available for scholarly and nonprofit use. Additional charges may apply to complex and large orders requiring special handling.
Standard Digital Photography for Bound and Flat Items
- Rate: $50 per hour; one-hour minimum
- Rush: $50 surcharge per order
Studio Photography for Three-Dimensional Objects
- Rate: $50 per hour; one-hour minimum
- Rush: $100 surcharge per order
Requests for photography of large objects are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These requests may need to be fulfilled by an external contract photographer. Photographer fees may vary.
For information on document delivery, interlibrary loan, or to schedule a research visit, visit the Othmer Library page.
To view digitized collections available for use, visit the Science History Institute Digital Collections.
Copyright and Permissions
Possession of a digital reproduction of the Institute’s collection material does not constitute permission to publish, exhibit, distribute, or otherwise make available any content protected by copyright law except as may be permitted under fair use or another copyright law exemption, such as the public domain.
In most instances, the Institute does not hold the copyright to its materials and cannot grant or deny permission to use them. You are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of any Institute material you wish to use. This includes investigating the owner of the copyright, obtaining permission for the intended use, determining whether the intended use would comply with a fair use exemption, and identifying other legal restrictions.
Institute staff will make every effort to inform you of copyrights and other restrictions that may apply to materials. However, you are ultimately responsible for determining if permission is needed for your intended use. In accessing the collections, you assume all liability for any copyright infringement caused by your use.
For more information on copyright and fair use, please refer to the U.S. Copyright Office website.
If you have a question regarding the copyright status of an item, please contact reproductions@sciencehistory.org.
Takedown Policy
If you are a rights holder and are concerned that you have found material in the Institute’s Digital Collections without your permission and believe our inclusion of this material in the Digital Collections violates your rights (e.g., inclusion is not covered by the Fair Use or other exemption to a copyright holder’s rights), please email reproductions@sciencehistory.org.
In your message, please include:
- A link to the work on our website
- A statement explaining why you believe the work is still protected by copyright and why its use is not authorized by the copyright owner or agent
- Written documentation, such as evidence of copyright and renewal registrations, establishing your claim to copyright
Upon receipt of the notice, the Institute will evaluate the claim and immediately remove the work or content, as appropriate.