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Reading Room Photography
AAS currently allows readers to use their own cameras to take photographs of suitable items, for research purposes only, at no cost. The purpose of this policy is to alleviate photocopying and supplement note taking, not to allow readers to create a complete personal copy. For more extensive requests, AAS offers professional-quality images in a variety of formats for a fee. For images that will be published in any form, you will need to sign a licensing agreement and fees may apply.
The policy guidelines for personal reading room photography are as follows:
- All reading room policies for handling materials will be enforced. Items in folders must be kept flat, bound items kept in cradles; materials may not be manipulated to produce a better image.
- Before you begin, you will need to fill out and submit the Reading Room Photography Request Form and Agreement to the Readers. Services staff.
- Please remain at one of the tables in front of the reference desk while photographing.
- As a courtesy to other readers, please change your camera settings to "mute." You will also need to turn off your flash.
- No camera flash, tripods, special lighting or extra equipment are permitted.
- Some items are ineligible to be photographed, including those already available digitally, items from the Reserve collection, fragile items, items in full, and anything which does not safely fit on the specified table.
- The AAS source card must appear in every shot.
- Please limit yourself to 30 shots per day.
- AAS retains the right to deny requests for any reason.
- You may not reproduce the images you create in any form.
The agreement you will be required to sign reads as follows:
The AAS offers reproduction services as an aid to scholarly research in accordance with its mission to provide access to materials while preserving them for the use of future generations. Copies of library and archival materials are provided to scholars and researchers for use in specific projects, not for general library acquisitions. The Society limits copying requests to those permitted under the copyright law. Public Law 94-553, section 107 (fair use) and 108 (reproduction by libraries and archives). It is the responsibility of the researcher to know and to comply with all copyright provisions.
I have read the above and comply with the AAS Digital Photography policy guidelines and agreement. In signing this I agree to use the reproductions created for personal research only. If and when I wish to use these images for publication, I will contact the Society and fill out the American Antiquarian Society licensing agreement. I understand all uses of images from the collections of the AAS must be licensed by the Society in consequence of its proprietary rights that applicable fees and/or royalties are charged and licenses granted are non-exclusive, for one-time use, and for a single edition, production, or medium.
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