Copyright, Permission, and Citation

Copyright 

Content from the Library or Archives may not be published, displayed, or transmitted in any way without permission from the American Museum of Natural History. Certain materials may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the American Museum of Natural History. Responsibility for obtaining any and all permissions, as may be necessary, rests with the user.  

Permissions 

Image Permissions (Academic Use only) 

For permission to reproduce AMNH-owned images for strictly non-profit, academic/scholarly publication, please submit the request via the Image Request Form. For all other Permission Requests (exhibits, films, commercial publications, textbooks, etc.), see instructions below.

All Other Image Permission Requests (exhibits, films, commercial publications, textbooks, etc.) 

All other permission requests (exhibits, films, commercial publications, textbooks, etc.) are managed by the Museum’s Licensing Department.  To submit a request to this department please complete submit the request via the License Request Form. 

Bulletin or Novitates Permissions (Academic Use only) 

For permission to reprint or reproduce material from the AMNH Bulletin or Novitates series, for strictly academic purposes, please send complete the Scientific Publications Permission Form. 

Archival Material Permissions (Academic Use only) 

Permission to quote from, or publish in full, any archival materials must be granted by the Archives. Please request permission to the Archives by e-mail at [email protected]. Include the source of the material and the name of the work to be published in your request.

Personal Digital Photography 

Photography of Library or Archival materials by users is permitted at the Library's discretion solely for personal reference. 

Citations

Preferred Citation for Archival Collections 

From Central Archives, Department Records, and Manuscripts Collection: 

  • Author of document; or author and intended recipient of letter, 
  • Date of document or letter. 
  • Name, and classification number of collection; 
  • American Museum of Natural History Library.
    • Central Archives Example: Central Archives example: Boas to Putnam, September 11, 1896. Central Archives, 1297.2; American Museum of Natural History Library.
    • Department Records Example: Bishop, February 10, 1950. Departmental Records, 068; American Museum of Natural History Library.
    • Manuscript Collection Example: Matthew to Osborn, January 9, 1911. Henry Fairfield Osborn Collection, MSS.O34; American Museum of Natural History Library.

From Photographic Print Collection: 

  • Name, and classification number of photographic print collection; 
  • Image number (if available); 
  • American Museum of Natural History Library. 
    • Example: Photographic Print Collection example: Shippee-Johnson Collection, PPC.S82; neg. 32764; American Museum of Natural History Library.

Library Authority Database: 

Entity in Library Authority Database: 

  • American Museum of Natural History Library. 
  • "Name of entity." 
  • American Museum of Natural History Library Authorities database, 
  • Last modified date. 
  • Last accessed date. 
  • Link to entity in Database 
    • Example: Entity in Library Authority Database: American Museum of Natural History Library. "Whitney South Sea Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (1920-1941)." American Museum of Natural History Research Library Authorities database, Last modified, 2019. Accessed December 17, 2020. https://data.library.amnh.org/archives-authorities/id/amnhc_2000164 

Citing Published Material 

All published material from the Library collection, including the Rare Book Collection, can be cited as specified in your preferred citation format. 

David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library and Learning Center