On-site Photocopy and Scanning

We have two self-service photocopy machines available in the Library, one in the reading room for the public and the other in our current literature reading room for staff.  A self-service scanning machine (KIC) is also available. Users can create full color scans up to 17x24" in size and save the files to a USB drive or send them via email. 

Users who need photocopies/scans of materials from the Library -- but cannot come to the Library in person -- should contact the inter-library loan department of their local public, college, or university library for assistance. If you do not have access to inter-library loan and need a copy of an item, please email libref@amnh.org with your request.  We reserve the right to restrict or limit the amount of pages copied/scanned.

Please note that archives, manuscripts, rare, fragile, and oversize materials may not be photocopied or scanned. Digital cameras without flash may be used to photograph the materials.  Library staff may be able to photocopy or scan these materials for you, however we reserve the right to restrict or limit the amount of pages copied/scanned.

Purchasing Images

Most images from the Library's Photographic Collection can be purchased in high resolution digital format for reference, research, and educational use. To obtain an image, please contact Special Collections via e-mail (speccol@amnh.org). Please include the AMNH image number in your request. If you do not have an image number, please include a detailed description of the image and a copy of the image, if available. 

Be aware that we cannot accommodate rush orders or provide extensive photographic research services.

Please refer to our Special Collections Access and Policies page for procedures on scheduling an appointment to conduct your own research in the Library’s photographic collection.

Licensing Photographic Images

Images must be licensed for use in publications, films, broadcasts, websites, or other forms of reproduction or distribution. To license any image, please contact Special Collections via e-mail (speccol@amnh.org). Please note that we do not sign licensing agreements from other institutions.

Images may not be published, displayed, or transmitted in any way without permission from the Special Collections Department. Certain materials may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the AMNH. Responsibility for obtaining any and all permissions as may be necessary rest with the user.

Permission to use Footage from our Moving Images Collection

The Library licenses footage from many of the titles in the cataloged Film Collection. Please contact Special Collections (speccol@amnh.org) for questions regarding licensing Film Collection footage. Please note: The Museum does not own the rights to any of the films from the Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival or to the CBS Adventure Series, these titles are on deposit and are available for viewing only.

Permission to cite from the Archives and Manuscript Collections

To quote from the collections, please request permission in writing to Special Collections via e-mail (speccol@amnh.org). Include the source of the material and the name of the work to be published in your request. For proper citation, refer to our Preferred Citation for Archival Collections Document.

Permission to use material from our AMNH Scientific Publications

Requests to reprint, reproduce or use any material from an AMNH Scientific Publications (Bulletin, Novitates, or Anthropological Papers) for strictly academic purposes can be submitted via our AMNH Scientific Publications Permission Form.  Please libref@amnh.org if you have any questions about the form or if you would like to use material from an AMNH Scientific Publications for commercial purposes.