Rights & Reproductions

The Historic New Orleans Collection provides digital images of collection materials for a fee and subject to its General Conditions Governing Use of Materials. Scans may be requested for study purposes and for one-time use online or in publications, exhibitions, or motion pictures. 

1. Use of images, sound recordings or moving images, or other materials is not allowed until the patron’s “Request to Use” has been approved, all fees have been paid in full, and a written agreement is signed by both HNOC and the patron (the “Agreement”). Additional conditions and restrictions on use may be included in the Agreement.

2. HNOC licenses materials from its collection for use only on a non-exclusive basis and only for the approved purpose(s) identified in the Request to Use form. Under no circumstances may materials be used in any manner, or by any party, not identified in the Request to Use or in any manner inconsistent with the Agreement.

3. HNOC requires that all uses of materials from its collection be accompanied by a credit line. The specific requirements for the form and placement of the credit will be set forth in the Agreement.

4. Collection materials must be reproduced without any alteration, unless otherwise authorized in the Agreement. Images and footage may not be altered, bleed off the page, be printed on colored stock, be colorized, or include superimposed images or text. Images used on the internet must be at no greater than 72dpi and 500 pixels on the long side of the image.

5. HNOC does not warrant that duplications from its collections are fit for the patron’s intended use. Each patron is responsible for clearing copyrights and all other intellectual property rights, including, but not limited to rights of publicity and privacy, libel, and literary property rights.

6. Permission to reproduce collection materials may be denied at the discretion of HNOC.

7. HNOC may require proofs for approval prior to use.

8. HNOC must be provided with one complimentary copy of the finished work.

Patrons may use personal cameras or phones to photograph materials. Prior to taking any photographs please see a reading room staff member and read our photography policy below. Permission is always at the discretion of the staff member.

Researchers may take photographs of collection materials for study purposes only, and as allowed by the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC), based on the physical condition of the materials, copyright law, donor restrictions, and reading room rules.

Patrons must agree to the following conditions:

• The patron must obtain permission from HNOC staff before taking any photographs.
• The patron will indicate all items to be photographed and show them to HNOC staff for approval.
• Patron must take photographs at reading room tables only.
• Patrons may not photograph more than 50 pages or 10 percent of any book or manuscript (whichever is smaller), or 50 pieces per collection.
• Patrons must use their personal camera or phone in still photography mode only.
• It is the patron's responsibility to keep accurate citations for all items photographed, which must be used when ordering publication-quality images.

• Preservation needs always trump photography needs.
• Patrons will handle materials with care and according to library rules.
• Patrons will not bend, press down, or otherwise manipulate or rearrange materials to get a better photograph.
• Patrons will keep materials flat on the table or in the stand/cradle provided.
• Patrons will ask library staff for assistance with fastened items.
• Patrons will not remove items from their plastic sleeves.
• Patrons will not stand on chairs, tables, or other furniture.
• Patrons will turn off the flash and sound on my camera.
• Patrons will not use special lights.
• Patrons will not take photographs of the staff, reading room, or other researchers.
• Patrons must understand that the library reserves the right to deny permission to photograph collection materials at its discretion.

• Patrons will use the photographs for private study, scholarship and research only.
• Patrons will not publish the photographs in print, post them on the internet or social media, or exhibit them.
• PatronsI will not donate, sell, or provide the photographs to another repository.
• Patrons will request publication-quality images from HNOC at its standard fees.
• It is the patron's responsibility to obtain permission to publish from copyright owners.

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 institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.