Photographic and Scanning Services

Private Photography 

1. Readers who wish to take their own photographs of documents for private use may only do so subject to the following conditions:  

• Permission must be sought from a member of staff  who will check the copyright status of a document.
• Readers must complete a Copyright Declaration form.
• During normal weekday opening hours readers wishing to take photographs of documents may do so using a hand-held camera only, without flash.
• Mobile phone cameras are not permitted.
• At these times the use of tripods, lighting umbrellas and other pieces of photographic equipment is not permitted.
• Readers are not permitted to stand on the furniture or use kik-stools as this is a risk to their own health & safety.
• It is not possible to take documents outside the reading rooms or Library building in order to photograph them.

2. Alternatively readers may make an appointment to carry out photography using more extensive equipment on a Saturday at the Wlliam Salt Library. If you wish to do this, you are asked to discuss this fully with the Library staff in advance of your visit.  There will be a charge for staff time if Library staff have to provide additional supervision. 

William Salt Library Photography Service

1. Where it is not possible for readers to achieve the desired results with a small camera, the Library has a photography service which is carried out by our Digital Reprographics Officer.

2. If you would like to use this service, please speak to a member of staff who will advise you appropriately and provide you with a list of our costs.

3. An estimate of the cost will be provided to you prior to any work being carried out. It is important that any deadlines for receipt of the images are discussed at this stage to ensure that the order can be completed in time.

4. Please note that whilst we endeavour to achieve the best possible result for the customer, the physical nature of the documents means that expectations cannot always be met. 

Scanning Services

1. The William Salt Library also offers the facility of scanning documents carried out by our Digital Reprographics Officer subject to conditions outlined below. We can provide either a digital image or a high quality print (colour or black & white).

2. The scanning service is only available for documents suitable to be placed on a flat bed scanner and therefore does not include:  Case-bound volumes Multi-membrane parchment documents Maps and other documents over 24 inches by 36 inches in size Documents which have undergone extensive conservation work Fragile documents.
[If you would like copies of the above documents please see section on Private and William Salt Library Photography or on Commercial Photography and Microfilming.]

3. We are also able to provide copies from microfilm or fiche either as a digital image or a high quality print. This service is only available in black and white.
4. Both of these services must be requested in advance as scanned copies cannot be provided on the spot.

5. If you would like to use this service, please speak to a member of staff who will advise you appropriately and provide you with a list of our costs. 

Commercial Photography and Microfilmings

1. The Library can also make arrangements for a commercial photographer to photograph the documents in a studio.  The Library will charge a handling fee for this service in addition to the photography costs and postage and packing.  The current handling fee is £25 for up to 5 items and £1 for each additional item. There will also be a charge for staff time and travel expenses if Library staff have to transport the documents or provide additional supervision. Please note that the Library requires 50% of the payment in advance of proceeding with the order. Readers will be asked to complete a Copyright Declaration form and the Archive Service will retain any negatives.

2. The Library can also obtain estimates for microfilming documents and will place orders with a local microfilming company.  A handling fee will be charged for this service in addition to the microfilming costs and postage and packing.  The current handling fee is £50 with reservation to charge more for complex order, plus staff-time and travel expenses if Library staff have to transport the documents. Please note that the Library requires 50% of the payment in advance of proceeding with the order. Readers will be asked to complete a Copyright Declaration.

3. Please note that institutions or companies which are registered for VAT must submit an official order for photography or microfilming work. An invoice will be issued by the Library on completion of the work.

4. If you would like to use either of these services, please speak to a member of staff who will advise you appropriately. 

Reproduction of Documents
All requests for the reproduction of documents, whether for publication in hard copy or on a website, for exhibition/display or for media use, must be put in writing to the William Salt Librarian.   We will then seek any necessary permissions from the owners of documents. Please note that this may take some time and should be allowed for in the timescale for completing an order.  A facility fee is payable for this service.

The William Salt Library also reserves the right to ask for a copy of any publication which makes extensive use of documents held by the Library.