Need an image of library materials for research or publication? Harvard Library offers a variety of reproduction and digitization services for special collection materials.
These services are available to all — you don't need to be a Harvard affiliate to make a request.
How to Request a Copy
Requests for copies and reproductions are submitted via one of our search tools: HOLLIS, HOLLIS for Archival Discovery, or HOLLIS Special Request. See detailed instructions for each system below.
Once you submit your request, we review it for permissions. If approved, we'll send a quote with pricing (if required) and an estimated delivery timeline. If payment is required, pay through your HOLLIS Special Request account and we'll notify you when the materials are ready.
You can check your order status and track submitted requests in your HOLLIS Special Request account. See How to use Hollis Special Request for details.
HOLLIS
- Find the item you'd like reproduced in the HOLLIS catalog
- Click the "Request to Copy or Visit" link
- This link will bring you to the HOLLIS Special Request system, where you will be prompted to either log in or create an account.
- Once logged in, the system will default to the Reading Room Request Form
- Click the "Switch to Copy Request" button at the top of the form
- The form will auto-populate with the information pulled from HOLLIS
- Complete the form and submit your request
If the "Request to Copy or Visit" option does not display in HOLLIS, contact the library that holds the material to discuss your options for reproductions.
HOLLIS FOR ARCHIVAL DISCOVERY
- When viewing an item in HOLLIS for Archival Discovery, click "Add to my request list"
- Go to your request list by clicking "Request" at the top right
- Under "Submit Request, select "Copy" as the "Type of request"
- Choose the format and delivery method desired
- Submit the form
- Submitting the form will bring you to HOLLIS Special Request, where you will need to log in to finalize the request
HOLLIS Special Request
- Log into HOLLIS Special Request
- Click "New Request" then "Copy Request"
- Fill out the required fields and submit your request
Copy Formats
When submitting your request, you will be asked to choose a copy format. Learn more details about each option below.
- Reference copy: Scans for research purposes only
- Publication-quality copy: High-quality digital images that can be published
- Print: Physical prints
- Existing digital file: Higher resolution versions of digital files available online
Reference Copies
Reference copies are scans of materials for research use only. Some libraries provide a limited number of reference copies at no cost.
Not all items can be copied due to condition, size, format, or other restrictions. If reference copies aren’t available, you may be able to purchase another copy format
If you’re requesting scans from the Harvard University Archives or Houghton Library:
- For boxed materials, you may request up to 5 items or folders, with a total of no more than 150 pages.
- For bound materials, you may request 1 volume or up to 150 pages, whichever is greater
- For downloads, you may request up to 5 items per request.
If your request exceeds these limits, we’ll scan up to the allowable amount and cancel the remainder. You can submit additional batches after your first is completed. There is no annual limit on batches.
Please submit requests in order of priority, and check the HOLLIS catalog record or finding aid for page counts.
Publication-Quality Copies, Prints, and More
We offer customized photography for diverse materials, handling everything from individual pages to fragile, rare, and complex items. Pricing is determined by the type of material, its condition, whether special handling is required, quantity, and other factors.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround time is 12-15 business days from date of payment.
- For full reel and full-sheet scanning of microfilm and microfiche, standard turnaround is 4 to 6 weeks.
- For large orders (11 items or more) please call for an estimated delivery schedule: 1-617-495-3995.
Rush Services
Rush services are available for an additional fee, however availability fluctuates based on staffing levels and access to material. If you would like rush service, please inquire when you submit your request.
- 5-Business-Day Rush: $50 surcharge
- 2-Business-Day Rush: $100 surcharge
- 24-Hour Rush: $200 surcharge
Delivery
Items are delivered in different ways, depending on certain factors. Many can be sent via a file-transfer service ($10 for up to 15 images). For large orders, we offer thumb drives ($25) and hard drives ($125) as delivery options. Shipping costs for prints and/or media is below:
- Domestic (FedEx 2nd Day): $13 per order
- International (FedEx International Delivery): $50 per order
- Electronic Delivery: $10 for up to 15 files
Pricing
Publication-Quality Studio Reproduction
Ideal for single pages or photographs, fragile or rare materials, items requiring special handling, and publication-quality images.
Delivers our highest-quality digital images with customizable resolution (default exceeds publication standards). Each file is corrected for exposure, color, and tone. Flexible delivery options and quantity discounts are available.
Standard Pricing
- Up to 19" x 25": $20-$30 per image
- 19" x 25" to 34" x 45": $35-$45 per image
- Larger items: Call for estimate
Customized Discounted Pricing Examples
Eligible items have a scan area up to 15″ x 21″
- Book, good condition: $8/image
- Fragile/illuminated book: $10/image
- Multiple book pages: $12-$15/image
- Manuscript materials: $8-$12/image
- Photographs: $8-$15/image
- Atlas: $15/image
- Maps, lithographs: $15-$25/image
Publication-Quality Standard Photography
This service is available for paper-based, printed materials that are study enough for standard handling, can open easily and fully, are out of copyright, and being digitized in full (no single pages from a book).
This service delivers high-quality digital images at 300 to 400 ppi at original document size. Eligible items can be digitized at $1 per page and delivered via a link to the material as it will appear in Harvard’s public, online, digital repository.
Prints
Prints created from existing digital image files. The print process uses pigment-based inks on archival luster and smooth rag surfaced papers.
- 8" x 10": $25 first print, $12.50 each additional
- 11" x 14": $35 first print, $20 each additional
- 16" x 20": $65 first print, $50 each additional
- 20" x 24": $85 first print, $75 each additional
- 20" x 30": $105 first print, $95 each additional
- Custom sizes: Call for estimate
Digital Files from HOLLIS Viewer
Reference copies of digital reproductions can often be downloaded, free of charge, directly from Harvard’s online viewer. Higher resolution files sometimes also exist, but these must be downloaded by staff.
Pricing
- $20 for the first 1-10 images, and after that, each additional image is $2.00.
- A $10.00 fee will be charged for delivery via a third-party file-transfer service.
If you are placing an order for more than one previously digitized image, please create only one order in our HOLLIS Special Request system, citing one image, then email the complete list of images to us at imaging@fas.harvard.edu. We will be able to combine the image list with your one order.
Film
Modern and vintage negatives and transparencies, glass negatives and lantern slides. Capture resolution determined by source material. Volume discount available for 10 or more items.
Pricing for Transmissive Materials
- 35 mm slide or negative $25
- medium or large format negative/transparency $35
- glass negative or lantern slide $45
We offer full-reel and full-sheet scanning of microfilm and Microfiche. Standard turnaround for microfilm orders is 4 to 6 weeks. The minimum charge for this service is $85. The final estimate will be generated after the request submission.
Pricing for Microfilm and Microfiche
- Microfilm (full reel) $85 (minimum)
- Microfiche (full sheet) $85 (minimum)
Cancellations: The cost estimates are good-faith estimates, but there are cases when prices change with new information. If the pricing changes and you wish to cancel your order, you can do so through HOLLIS Special Request or by phone or email.
Questions?
If you have questions about submitting a copy request or an existing request, you can contact the library that holds the materials (see our list of libraries) or our Imaging Services team.
Imaging Services
imaging@fas.harvard.edu
617-495-3995
Widener Library, Room G-81
Cambridge, MA 01238