Skip to main content

Duplication Policy

Materials may be duplicated when, in the judgement of the staff, such duplication will not damage the original items, will not duplicate an inordinate portion of a manuscript or university records collection, or is not prevented by US copyright law.

  • All duplication requests must be reviewed and approved by SC&A staff, and follow the posted schedule for limits and duplication fees.
  • An overhead scanner is provided for patron use for creating research quality scans. Limits and fees apply. The scanner is equipped to email files directly to your email or you may use your personal flash drive.
  • Use of personal cameras in not permitted.
  • High resolution reproductions may be made by SC&A staff, as described in this policy and fee schedule below.

Reproductions from Manuscripts

Special conditions apply when requesting duplication of unpublished materials. Virtually all unpublished manuscripts, recordings, and photographs are protected under copyright law.

  • Select copies of manuscripts may be made if they are solely for the research use of the applicant and if there are no restrictions on the selected material. Any further reproduction of such copies is not permitted.
  • The UC San Diego Library, in making copies available, does not grant permission to reproduce or to quote extensively for publication. The applicant assumes full responsibility for any infringement of copyright or publication rights belonging to the author, the author’s heirs or assigns.
  • The applicant is responsible for communicating with the holder of copyright concerning permissions to quote or otherwise publish copyrighted material from our collections.
  • Special copyright provisions also apply to sound recordings, pictorial, musical, graphic, motion picture, or other audio-visual works, which severely restrict duplicating without the expressed permission of the holder of copyright.

Reproducing or Quoting in Publications

Any researcher wishing to publish from Special Collections & Archives materials agrees to obtain permission from the UC San Diego Library, from holders of copyright, and from other interested parties as applicable. The researcher also agrees to accept responsibility for complying with legislation enacted to protect copyright and the right to privacy.

Please see our Reproduction Publication Policy for details.

Limits and Fees

Special Collections & Archives limits each applicant to a total of 125 copies per year; 250 for self-service on the Bookeye scanner. No more than 10% of any item still under copyright protection is allowed. All requests are subject to approval.

The applicant agrees to pay the costs incurred in making all requested copies, including expenses of preparing digital files. All orders require prepayment. Payments are by cash, credit card, or check payable to UC Regents. A $10 minimum is required for a credit card charge.

Cost for research quality Bookeye scans
UC Researcher - Self Service
Free
Limit 250 copies
Guest Researcher - Self Service
$0.25/copy
Limit 250 copies
Staff Completed
$0.50/copy Limit 125 copies

*Self-service Bookeye scans must be approved before scanning.

Other reproductions

High-Res Scans $15.00 (Mail included)
Oversize Scans (items larger than A3/11"x17") $25.00 (Mail included)
Media (audio, video, film) $25.00 (Mail included)
Microfilm printouts $.25 each



Offsite & Mail Requests
Researchers who are unable to visit in person may either request duplication directly via the catalog or finding aids using the Special Collections Request System, or may contact us at spcoll@ucsd.edu.
$.50/copy + Shipping
Domestic shipping: $10
International shipping: (Fed Ex): $25.00



Notice Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

This UC San Diego Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a duplication order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

See Also