Rights and Reproductions

HSP Digital Services provides several options for digital reproductions:

• New digital imaging of HSP collection material as requested

• Copies of existing digital images, as seen on our Digital Library

• Permission to reproduce HSP images for publication, exhibition, or public distribution

Possession of digital reproductions of HSP collection material also does not constitute permission to publish or exhibit the image, and we reserve the right to refuse to reproduce material that would infringe on copyright or donor restrictions. Please see the details on Licensing and Permissions below for information on how to request permission to publish our digital images.

We do not currently offer photocopying or printing services. Patrons visiting our reading room are allowed to take their own photographs (without flash) as per our reading room policies.

Please email our rights and reproductions team with any questions: rnr@hsp.org.

Digital Image Fees

High resolution images

HSP provides high-resolution digital images of our collection material. These files are 300/600ppi, 24-bit color, uncompressed TIFFs, which are suitable for publications, exhibitions, or documentaries.

• High-resolution TIFF - $25/image

Reference images

HSP also offers imaging as lower resolution PDFs for reference purposes. For small reference imaging requests, please utilize our Quick Search Service, which allows up to 30 minutes of research time.

• Reference quality PDF - $2.50/image

Service fee for new imaging

For all rights and reproduction requests that include new imaging, there is a per-order service fee based on item size and photography requirements. Requests with large items that require special photography will be charged our Oversize digitization service fee.

• Digitization service fee - $35

• Oversize item digitization service fee - $45

Microfilm

Scans of entire reels of microfilm are outsourced to a vender which produces images in PDF format. The fees for partial scans of microfilm follow the same fee schedule as other collection material.

• First reel - $220

• Additional reel(s) - $150

Scan cap

To maintain a manageable workload for staff, and to ensure that the access needs of all patrons are met as quickly as possible, there is currently a cap of 300 scans for all new digitization requests. If you require more scans than the cap allows, please place a new request upon completion of your previous order.

Licensing and Permissions

HSP provides permissions to use digital images of our collection material for various purposes, not limited to publications, exhibitions, and broadcasting. Patrons interested in permission to license images must indicate desired usage when placing an order. An estimate of licensing fees will be provided as orders are processed. Any usage fees are applied in addition to HSP’s digital image fees.

Click here to see HSP’s licensing and permissions fee schedule.

Educational uses

HSP does not require special permissions to publish images of collection material in dissertations, class lectures, or presentations. We do ask that the following credit line be used alongside the image: Collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. All educational use is non-commercial. Any resulting publication, exhibition, or distribution uses that do not qualify for the educational rate will be charged standard usage fees.

Social Media

HSP does not require special permissions to publish images of collection material on social media platform. We only ask that the following credit line be used alongside the image: Collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Permission to quote or transcribe

If you wish to quote or cite HSP collection materials, no formal permissions are needed. Patrons should cite materials according to the following format: Item name. Collection name [collection number]. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. If you wish to publish a full transcription of an item in HSP’s collections, you must sign our usage agreement and provide HSP with a copy of the transcription. There are no usage fees for permission to transcribe.

Material under Copyright and Fair Use

While HSP owns the material in its collections, we do not necessarily possess the copyright of each object. Users are responsible for obtaining permissions and providing proof to publish reproductions of collection material under copyright. For users interested in requesting reproductions of copyrighted material for research purposes only, HSP will make an assessment based on the Fair Use doctrine. If the use of a reproduction exceeds that of Fair Use, users are liable for infringement of copyrighted material.

HSP Member Rates

HSP Members receive 10% discount from order total. Please consult the details of our membership benefits and let us know about your membership when requesting rights and reproduction services.

Placing an Order

All rights and reproductions orders are processed through our ticketing system. If you are working with a deadline, please indicate the deadline date in the ‘Deadline’ field of the request form. Once processing begins, digital service staff will provide an invoice for the images and/or licensing, as well as instructions for making payment. Once payment is made, the images and/or usage agreement will be delivered through our file transfer service Hightail.

CLICK HERE TO PLACE AN ORDER

Please email our rights and reproductions team with any questions: rnr@hsp.org.