The Library of Congress generally does not own rights to material in its collections and, therefore, cannot grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute the material. For information about assessing rights, see the Rights and Restrictions Information page.
Obtaining Copies
If an image is displaying, you can download it yourself. (Some images display only as thumbnails outside
the Library of Congress because of rights considerations, but you have access to larger size images on
site.)
Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through
Library of Congress Duplication Services.
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If a digital image is displaying: The qualities of the digital image partially
depend on whether it was made from the original or an intermediate such as a copy negative or
transparency. If the Reproduction Number field above includes a reproduction number that starts
with LC-DIG..., then there is a digital image that was made directly from the original
and is of sufficient resolution for most publication purposes.
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If there is information listed in the Reproduction Number field above:
You can use the reproduction number to purchase a copy from Duplication Services. It will be
made from the source listed in the parentheses after the number.
If only black-and-white ("b&w") sources are listed and you desire a copy showing
color or tint (assuming the original has any), you can generally purchase a quality copy of
the original in color by citing the Call Number listed above and including the catalog
record ("About This Item") with your request.
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If there is no information listed in the Reproduction Number field above:
You can generally purchase a quality copy through Duplication Services. Cite the Call Number
listed above and include the catalog record ("About This Item") with your request.
Price lists, contact information, and order forms are available on the
Duplication Services Web site.
Access to Originals
Please use the following steps to determine whether you need to fill out a call slip in the Prints
and Photographs Reading Room to view the original item(s). In some cases, a surrogate (substitute image) is
available, often in the form of a digital image, a copy print, or microfilm.
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Is the item digitized? (A thumbnail (small) image will be visible on the left.)
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Yes, the item is digitized.
Please use the digital image in preference to requesting the original. All images can be
viewed at a large size when you are in any reading room at the Library of Congress. In some
cases, only thumbnail (small) images are available when you are outside the Library of
Congress because the item is rights restricted or has not been evaluated for rights
restrictions.
As a preservation measure, we generally do not serve an original item when a digital image
is available. If you have a compelling reason to see the original, consult with a reference
librarian. (Sometimes, the original is simply too fragile to serve. For example, glass and
film photographic negatives are particularly subject to damage. They are also easier to see
online where they are presented as positive images.)
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No, the item is not digitized. Please go to #2.
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Do the Access Advisory or Call Number fields above indicate that a non-digital surrogate exists,
such as microfilm or copy prints?
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Yes, another surrogate exists. Reference staff can direct you to this
surrogate.
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No, another surrogate does not exist. Please go to #3.
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If you do not see a thumbnail image or a reference to another surrogate, please fill out a call slip in
the Prints and Photographs Reading Room. In many cases, the originals can be served in a few minutes.
Other materials require appointments for later the same day or in the future. Reference staff can
advise you in both how to fill out a call slip and when the item can be served.
To contact Reference staff in the Prints and Photographs Reading Room, please use our
Ask A Librarian service or call the reading room between 8:30 and
5:00 at 202-707-6394, and Press 3.
