How to Request Copies

Please be advised that copying services may not be available for some materials. Copying of materials will be determined by any and all of the restrictions that govern the research use of a specific item or collection, including item condition and donor agreements. Because clear copies cannot always be made from original materials, copies are purchased at the risk of the researcher. 

  1. If you have not already done so, register as a library user (required). You will need a user account to place a copy order with either of the methods described below.
  2. Once you have registered, you may now place copy orders in two ways:
    1. Place your order online via your user account: 
      • Using catalogue record or finding aid, place a request for collection materials.  
      • Convert the request into a copy order by clicking the button labeled “Can’t Visit? Make a Duplication Request”Can't Visit? Make a Duplication Request
      • Note: If you forget to click the “Can’t Visit” button, the staff of Duplication Services will not be able to see that you have placed an order.”
      • Please be as specific as possible on the copy order form. You will be able to tell us on the form what materials you want copied and indicate the format and copy quality you need.  
      • We will confirm your order and create an invoice for any charges (see the fee structure below). 
      • If you need assistance with this process, contact us at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu or (919) 962-3765.  
    2. If you are uncertain about using the order form, you may email us at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu with the following information:  
      • Your contact information (name, address, and phone number) 
      • The call number and description for the item(s) to be copied. 
      • The deliverable format (see below) 

Copyright

All copies of special collections materials are for personal research use only. Every request for copies of materials held in Wilson Library constitutes an agreement that the researcher will not further reproduce, publish, broadcast, sell, or otherwise use the copied materials in excess of fair use without the agreement of the copyright owner. For information on public use and permission to publish, please see our Permissions and Citations page.

Limits on copy orders

As of February 1st 2024, in order to best serve researchers in advance of our upcoming Infrastructure Project, copy orders will be limited to the following quantities:

Type Amount
Manuscripts / Books 1000 scans (pages)
Photos 300 scans
Audio recordings 25 recordings
Video recordings 10 recordings
Optical discs 5 discs
Film 2 films

Any orders submitted that exceed these limits will be placed into a backorder queue and will be processed if staff are able. Researchers are welcome to schedule an appointment to view materials in person at the Wilson Special Collections Library Research Room if needed.

Pricing

The following is provided for your information only. Do not send any payment prior to receiving an invoice or request for payment from our staff. Please note that reproduction of exceptional items may be subject to additional fees.

Copies for personal reference
Reference copy $0.25 / scan + 5% handling
Digitize manuscript folder * $31.50 / folder
Retrieve existing digitized folder $10.50 / folder
Copies for publication, broadcast, or exhibition
Publishable-quality scan of a flat document, photograph, or photographic slide/negative $10.50 / scan
Publishable-quality scan of oversize or fragile materials $15.75 / scan
Retrieve existing publishable-quality digital file $5.25 / file
Copies of audio and video materials
Digitize audio/video $25.00 / item
Retrieve existing digital audio/video file $8.25 / file
Burn audio/video to disc (CD-R or DVD-R) $36.50 / disc
Burn existing digital audio/video file to disc (CD-R or DVD-R) $16.00 / disc
High Quality Inkjet Prints
8.5″ x 11″ (Letter) $9.45 / image
11.7″ x 16.5″ (A3) $14.70 / image
13″ x 19″ (Super A3; Super B) $16.80 / image
Larger than 13″ x 19″ up to 24″ x 30″ ** $26.25 / image
Additional services
Burn digital files to disc $5.25 / disc
Special handling (extremely large or fragile materials) $52.50 / item
Shipping and handling $5.00 / package

* In order to reduce the wear on our unique materials, requests for copies of significant portions of one or more manuscript folders will be priced by the folder rather than the individual item
** We do not have the capability to make prints larger than 23.5″ on the shortest side.

Additional Information

  • Payment in advance is required, but do not send any payment until you have received an invoice or request for payment from our staff.
  • Do not provide credit card information outside of the UNC Libraries secure online payment system.
  • Services are rendered on a first-come, first-served basis. Large reproduction orders will be done on an as-time-permits basis or referred to a Library-approved outside vendor.
  • We require that proper citation be given for any copied item quoted from or reproduced in any publication or public exhibition. Please see our Permissions & Citation page for more details.
  • We are not responsible for orders lost in the mail.
  • We reserve the right to make digitized materials freely available online once a researcher has paid for the initial digitization.