Need an image of library materials for research or publication? We offer high quality reproduction and digitization services of special collection materials for scholars, researchers, publishers, and more.
Available to all — you don't need to be a Harvard affiliate to make a request.
How it works
Submit a request (see instructions below) and our team will review for permissions. If approved, we'll send a quote with pricing and estimated delivery. Pay through your Hollis Special Request account, and we'll notify you when the materials are ready.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround time is 12-15 business days from date of payment. Rush services available for an additional fee.
- 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.
Delivery
- Digital files: Depending on the size of your order, files may be delivered through a secure file-transfer service or provided on a thumb drive or hard drive.
- Print & Media: Shipping costs for prints and media is listed in 'Pricing'.
Pricing
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.
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
Certain materials may qualify for our $1 per page pricing. This pricing is for stable, complete, out-of-copyright materials that can open fully, are not graphics, do not need rush service, and can be added to Harvard's Digital Repository. These files are delivered at 300 dpi and original document size.
Customized Discounted Pricing
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
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 Library 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)
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
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), and 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
Rush Services
Availability of rush service fluctuates based on staffing levels and access to library source 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
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.
Request a Reproduction
Make your request for reproductions in one of our search tools: HOLLIS, HOLLIS for Archival Discovery, or HOLLIS Special Request.
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
Check the Status of Your Order
You can track requests that you have submitted in your HOLLIS Special Request account.
See How to use Hollis Special Request for details.
Contact
Widener Library, Room G-81
Cambridge, MA 01238
United States