Duplication Policies
Photocopying
Two types of photocopying services are available: self-service and staff-produced. Both require the approval of a library staff member, who will tell you if an item can be copied self-service. Manuscripts are not copied self-service. Staff members approve requests based on the criteria below. The total number of copies you may receive is limited. Staff limitations, along with the damage caused by photocopying to the holdings entrusted to us, prevent us from providing unlimited photocopying. Therefore, please plan ahead and try to "ration" your photocopy requests to ensure you obtain copies of the documents you really need. Before you request photocopies, please consider the following:
- All photocopying damages documents. The light and heat produced during photocopying damage paper and contribute to fading. Handling materials is damaging, no matter how carefully it is done. Please help us preserve materials by keeping your requests to a minimum.
- We can provide or allow photocopies as long as physical condition, current copyright law, and the Libraries' agreement with a donor allow. If Libraries staff determine a request exceeds fair use under copyright law, a request will be denied.
- Unless a donor has agreed, Special Collections will not accept or approve copy requests of items which are photocopies or typescripts of originals retained by the donor.
- Many oversize items cannot be copied because of physical constraints. Fees for special handling are charged for those items that can be copied to cover the extra costs involved.
- Photographs are never photocopied because of the damage done by the process. If you need a copy of a photograph, please ask about photographic services.
- Portions of manuscript volumes may only be reproduced by the use of a face-up copier.
- Complete volumes and entire manuscript collections may not be photocopied. If you need something of this type, please ask about microfilming.
- Many of Special Collections' manuscript holdings are available on microfilm. Manuscript materials that have been microfilmed will not be photocopied. Copies must be made from the microfilm. If a staff member determines that a satisfactory copy can not be made, originals may be photocopied, unless other restrictions apply.
Important Advice for Manuscripts Users
NEVER remove loose manuscript items from their folders, either in studying the documents or in preparation for requesting a photocopy of them. If you identify a document you would like to have photocopied, consult a staff member for instruction in how to request the photocopy. If you do not follow proper procedures you will be denied further access to the materials. Self-service photocopying of manuscripts is not allowed.
Microfilm Duplication
Limited microfilm services are available. Patrons may request the microfilming of manuscript collections. Requests will be considered individually. Ordinarily, only whole collections or (in some cases) whole series will be filmed. Microfilm of newspapers or manuscript collections for which LSU holds the master can be purchased.
The cost of microfilm duplication varies according to amount filmed. There is a $25 charge for preparing an estimate. Estimates are valid for 90 days, and if film is ordered within that period, the $25 will be applied to the total cost.
Microfilm duplication requests must be submitted in writing. See Procedures for Requesting Copies for further information.
Digitization
All requests for scanning of items must be made in writing using the Duplication Request Form and must be approved by a Special Collections staff member. Requests will be denied if the item is too fragile, embrittled, or if the size of the request will place an unreasonable strain on available staff resources.
Scans of paper originals processed by Digital Services are $5 per scan when delivered by email or file download. An additional charge of $5 for CD/DVD delivery, per CD/DVD. Use fees may also apply.
Digitization orders processed in our Digital Lab are fulfilled in the order in which they are received. We strive to complete orders in a timely manner. Please contact the Public Services Staff if you need an estimate on digitization order completion time.
Self-service Photography in the Reading Room
With prior approval from reading room staff, researchers may take photographs of collection materials for study purposes only, subject to the rules and procedures listed in the Reading Room Camera Policy. The LSU Libraries reserves the right to deny permission to photograph any collection materials at its discretion.
Please see the Reading Room Camera Policy for further information.
Duplication Prices
Printable version of Duplication polices and pricing
Note: In addition to prices given below, a processing fee may apply.
- No processing fee will be charged if requestor comes to the library and, in person, identifies materials, places order, and pays for it upon completion of order.
- A minimum of $5 will be charged if requestor identifies materials and places order in person, but is billed.
- A minimum of $10 will be charged if a staff member handles entire process.
- If applicable, postage will be added at cost.
| Service Type | Price |
| Self-service electrostatic copies (aka photocopies) | .10/page letter or legal .10/page ledger .25/page microprints Note: emailed self-service scans are free. |
| Staff-produced copies from book/journals with call numbers | .30/page letter or legal .50/page ledger |
| Staff-produced copies (either low-resolution digital or paper) from manuscript materials | .50/image, any size .50/page letter or legal .70/page ledger Additional charges: $10 for orders of 51–100 copies; $20 for 101-150; $30 for 151-200, etc. |
| Staff-produced copies from microforms | .80/page all sizes |
| Scans of originals processed by Digital Services | $5/scan delivered by email or file download. Additional charge of $5 for CD/DVD delivery, per CD/DVD. |
| Staff-produced scans from microfilm | $10 minimum for 1 to 10 scans, plus $1 per scan thereafter. Files delivered by email or file download. Limit of 30 scans. |
| Remote digital access of microfilm | $20/session. Contact Public Services in advance to schedule. |
| Microfilming of library materials | Varies according to amount filmed. $25 to prepare an estimate. Charge will be $110/reel plus a per page rate. Estimate valid for 90 days. If film is ordered within that period, the $25 will be applied to the total cost. |
| Duplication of microfilm, negative held by LSU | $110 per reel |
| Photographic prints 5 x 7” | $15 each; $7 for each additional print from same negative at the same time |
| Photographic prints, 8 x 10” | $25 each; $12 for each additional print from same negative at the same time |
| Photographic prints, 11 x 14 | $40 each; $20 for each additional print from same negative at the same time |
| Cassette to cassette | $10 per tape |
| Cassette to digital audio file | $10 minimum + $10 per hour of tape |
| Reel to reel, reel to cassette, cassette to reel | $100 per hour of tape |
| Interview transcript (pdf) from pre-existing digital file | $5 per interview session |
| Interview transcript (pdf) from paper transcript with OCR | $5 minimum for up to 10 pages, plus $0.25/page thereafter |
Also see Permission to Publish for information about using our materials in a publication or resource.
Procedures for Requesting Copies
- No telephone requests are accepted.
- We prefer that you not forward payment with your request. An invoice will be sent with the completed copies.
- Please ask the staff member at the Service Desk in the Reading Room to explain the procedures for requesting photocopies to you. Requests for copies produced by staff must be made by filling out and signing a Duplication Request Form or submitting a written, signed letter via mail, fax, or e-mail (PDF, JPEG, or TIFF files accepted) to:
Special Collections Public Services
LSU Libraries
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3300
Phone: 225/578-6568
Fax: 225/578-9425
When will my photocopies be ready?
We do our best to fulfill photocopy and scanning requests as promptly as possible. Requests are queued according to size of the order, and filled in the order received. Rush requests are not accepted. Please allow adequate time for your order to be filled.
