Self-service photography allows you to create working copies for private study or research.

This service is available during the Special Collections Reading Room opening hours.

What you can photograph

You can capture working copy sections of texts, rather than facsimile reproductions of materials. For high quality reproductions, see professional imaging services.

More detailed information on what can and cannot be photographed is available in the guidance notes (PDF) (107 KB; 10 pages).

What you cannot photograph

• Some items and collections are excluded from this service. Please talk to Library staff before photographing an item
• Taking photos of other readers or Library staff or of the room in general is not permitted.

How you can photograph

• You can use your camera phone, tablet computer or basic compact camera to take still images
• You must switch any sounds off on your camera or device, and you must not use the flash.

We do not allow the use of:

• Handheld scanners
• Bridge or superzoom compact cameras
• Professional photography equipment e.g. digital SLR cameras, removable lenses, tripods, etc.

How to get permission

• Speak to staff at the Collection and Return desk in the Special Collections Reading Room
• Read the self-service photography terms of use and sign the agreement before taking any photographs
• You are only required to sign the agreement once, but you will need to consult staff about which works you may photograph each time you visit.

Copyright and licensing restrictions

The service is limited to certain areas of the collections consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room. This is due to:

• Copyright and licensing conditions
• Terms of ownership or deposit
• Privacy restrictions
• Conservation issues and related restrictions.

Many items in the Special Collections Reading Room are in copyright, even if they are very old. For example, unpublished literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works are normally in copyright until at least the end of 2039.

In November 2015, the UK Intellectual Property Office published a short guidance note on the use of photographs. The guidance explains certain aspects of copyright in more detail.

Copyright exceptions

Exceptions to copyright allow you to make limited copies from works that are protected by copyright. If you are unsure about the copyright status of an item you should treat it as if it is in copyright.

You can find more information in the Library's 'Exceptions to copyright' guide (PDF) (59 KB; 4 pages) or by visiting the Government's 'Exceptions to copyright' information.

Professional imaging services

The Library's professional imaging service is the best way to obtain full copies of out of copyright materials. You can get high quality images, including:

• Digital images
• Scanned or paper copies
• Photographic prints.

Please ask reading room staff about these services or see the 'Copying services' section for more information.

Contact us

If you have questions about the service, email scaenquiries@nls.uk.