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Reproduction Policies

Materials in the Institute Archives collections are unique, often fragile, and must be handled with care. The Institute Archives reserves the right to restrict copying of any items. Researchers are not permitted to photocopy book or manuscript material themselves. Small amounts of photocopying may be done by staff on demand, subject to staff availability. Larger orders from archival and manuscript collections will be filled as staff time permits. Copy requests will be filled in the order in which they are received. Copies of MIT publications and theses should be ordered through the MIT Libraries' Document Services.

Researchers may use personal computers in the reading room.

Reseachers may use digital cameras in the reading room. Portable scanners are not allowed. Please speak to staff at the reference desk about procedures and permission forms. 

Permission to examine material in the Archives is not authorization to publish. Photocopies provided to an individual are for research use only and do not imply authorization to publish or permission for placement of the copies in another repository.

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 specified 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. The Institute Archives reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. Researchers may request permission to publish material for which MIT holds the copyright.

Reproduction Procedures

Please discuss photocopying procedures before beginning your research. Photocopy orders should be discussed with the reference staff member at the front desk, who will explain the procedures. Researchers should not remove documents from folders or rearrange the order of materials in file folders or boxes.

To order copies complete and sign a photocopy request form (available at the reference desk):

• For Institute records and manuscript collections,
  supply the collection number, box, folder number (or title), and a brief description of the item (e.g., April 7, Stratton letter).

  Leave documents in the order you find them in folders. Wrap document(s) to be copied in the acid-neutral paper provided so that the top serves as a flag when the folder is in the box. (Staff will be happy to demonstrate this method.)

• For published materials, fill in the author's name, title, and page numbers.
• Sign the copyright statement on the back.
  
• If copies are to be mailed, provide a mailing address on the back of the order form.
  
• If copies are to be charged to an MIT account, put the account number on the order form.

The charge for photocopies is $.50 per page. Mailed orders are payable by check. Please make checks payable to MIT and include researcher's name on the check. Foreign orders should be paid by check in US funds payable to MIT. Copies may be charged to an MIT account number. The Institute Archives does not accept credit card payment.

Orders over $50.00 will be billed first and mailed upon receipt of payment.