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 4-by-5 copy stand system in the Austin History Center Photo Lab.

AHC Photo Lab with 4x5 copy system, 1991.
PICA-24875 (detail), Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

Reproductions

Find out how to use images, audio, and video from the Austin History Center.

You can order reproductions of our collection materials for personal research, publication, display, broadcast, and other uses. 

Many images are also available for free download from AHC Digital Collections and The Portal to Texas History. You may use online images freely for your own personal or research use. For all other uses, please submit an Image Reproduction Request Form. Learn more in the Online Images section below. 

Fees may apply based on what you request and how you plan to use it.

 

Still looking for the right item?

The reproduction request process is for customers who have already identified the images, audio, or video they want to use. If you need help finding materials on a topic, please visit us during public hours or submit your research question through our Contact Us form before sending a reproduction request. 

How to Order

How to Order

To request reproductions or permission to use AHC materials, please complete the correct form: 

Image Reproduction Request Form: For high-resolution image files or image permission requests.

AV Reproduction Request Form: For audio or video copies or AV permission requests.

Please include as much information as you can about how you plan to use the material. Also include item numbers when possible. If you do not know the item number, please provide any details that can help us identify the material. The forms include examples to help you complete your request.

Send your completed form or questions to: 

AHCReproductionOrders@austintexas.gov 

You may also submit the form in person during our public hours or mail it to: 

Austin History Center, Austin Public Library 
PO Box 2287 
Austin, Texas 78768-2287 

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Timeframe & File Delivery

Timeframe & File Delivery

Requests are processed in the order they are received. Please allow up to 15 business days from the date we receive your order. 

Large or complex orders may take longer. Some orders may also take longer if they need research help, offsite scanning, or extra review. 

If fees apply, files will only be delivered after payment is received. 

Files are delivered by email through a download link.  

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Online Images

Online Images

Some AHC images are available for free download from the online collections below.

AHC Digital Collections

https://ahc.access.preservica.com/ 

  • Item numbers are found at the top left of the record page, above the “Item Description” section.
  • Most images are available at 150 ppi. These 150 ppi images may be used for personal research. With AHC permission, they may also be used on websites. Images under 300 ppi may not be used in print, film, performances, or public displays. 

The Portal to Texas History

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ 

  • Item numbers are under the “Identifier” field at the bottom of the record page.
  • Many images are available as high-resolution downloads.  If the online image is under 300 ppi, please order a high-resolution file from AHC to use the image in any media other than websites. 
  • Not all images on The Portal to Texas History are from our collection. Use the “Partners” filter and select “Austin History Center” to find our images. 


To publish or publicly display any online image, submit an Image Reproduction Request Form. There are no reproduction fees for images you can download online. Use fees may still apply unless you qualify for an exemption. See the Price List section for exemption information. 

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Fees & Payment

Fees & Payment

Please review the Price List before submitting your request. 

There are two types of fees: 

  • Reproduction fees 

    These fees cover the cost of making or sending digital files. 

  • Use fees 
    These fees apply when AHC materials are used for publication or public display. 

    Some people and groups may not have to pay use fees. This includes nonprofit organizations, government agencies, local news media, and private individuals using images for personal use or non-public display. 

Texas residents must include 8.25% sales tax unless they provide proof of tax-exempt status. 

Payment must be received before files are delivered. 

In-person payments are accepted during public hours. To pay by credit card over the phone, email AHCReproductionOrders@austintexas.gov to schedule the call. Institutions may be invoiced. Checks may be mailed to:

Austin History Center, Austin Public Library 
PO Box 2287 
Austin, Texas 78768-2287 

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Price List

Price List

Reproduction Fees

The prices below include a 5% preservation fee.

Image Reproduction

Fees per JPG image file (other file formats available upon request):

  • Standard: 300dpi (at scale to size of item) - $47.00
  • Custom: Any resolution/size larger - $52.00

Audiovisual Reproduction

Video

  • Minimum fee: Up to 30 minutes - $204.00
  • Each additional 30 minutes - $43.00
  • Unless otherwise requested, all files SD .mov ProRes 4:2:2 .mp4/H624

Audio

  • Analog to digital, per recording - $115.00
  • Unless otherwise requested, all files .mp3 192 Kbps

Digital file download for previously digitized item - $38.00

Offsite oversize scanning - $114.00

Reproduction fees are waived for City of Austin general fund departments. City of Austin enterprise departments (Austin Convention Center, Austin Energy, Austin Resource Recovery, Austin Water Utility, and Aviation) must pay reproduction fees.

There are no reproduction fees for images you can freely download online on our Digital Collections platform or The Portal to Texas History. Use fees still apply for the publication or display of images available online, unless exempt (see Use Fees section below).

Use Fees

Customers in the following categories are exempt from use fee charges:

  1. Non-profit organizations. You must provide documentation of your 501(c)(3) status.
  2. Governmental entities. This includes local, state and federal governments.
  3. Local news media. Austin television news stations and publications that are published and distributed solely in the Travis County area are considered local news media.
  4. Private individuals using images for personal use or for display in a non-public area.

Use Fees for Publication or Display: Per Usage Type

For still image use, the costs listed below are per image file.

Books (Print)

  • 1-5,000 copies - $20.00
  • 5,001-10,000 copies - $30.00
  • 10,001-25,000 copies - $40.00
  • Over 25,000 copies - $65.00

Serials (Print)

  • Under 50,000 circulation - $20.00
  • 50,001-100,000 circulation - $30.00
  • Over 100,000 circulation - $40.00

Book Jacket - $80.00

Commercial Motion Picture or TV Use for Photographs (Still Images) - $175.00
Includes Theatrical Release, Television Broadcast, Streaming Platforms, Home Video (any media), and Clips or Trailer from Full-Length Production for a single production for the life of the work.

Website, Social Media, eBook, Online Journal, or Presentation Use - $30.00

Local Business Display - $30.00

Advertising Use - $200.00

Print or Digital Collateral: For promotional purposes only, not for commercial re-sale

  • 1-5,000 copies - $30.00
  • 5,001-10,000 copies - $40.00
  • 10,001-25,000 copies - $55.00
  • Over 25,000 copies - $65.00

Commercial Motion Picture or TV Use for Moving Images (Film or Video Footage)
Includes Theatrical Release, Television Broadcast, Streaming Platforms, Home Video (any media), and Clips or Trailer from Full-Length Production for a single production for the life of the work.

  • $30 / Second
  • $300 minimum
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Reproduction Policies and Procedures

Reproduction Policies and Procedures

The Austin History Center (AHC) makes its pictorial and video material widely available while carefully maintaining the physical and intellectual integrity of the historic materials. Your interests and the preservation of the materials will be assured by the observance of these policies and procedures.

All photographic and digital copies of materials in the AHC collections must be produced in the AHC Photo or Video Lab. All copy negatives are the property of the Austin History Center. Slides, transparencies, prints, digitized images, and videos may not be copied or duplicated by the customer. Requests to videotape photographs must be approved by the AHC Photo Curator.

  1. The customer accepts all responsibility for possible copyright infringement arising from the use of reproductions from the AHC collection.
  2. Neither the City of Austin nor the Austin History Center grants or transfers any copyright or other intellectual property rights in the photographic or video material to the customer. If the AHC grants the customer’s request for use of the photo reproduction, permission will be granted to the customer for one-time use only. Any subsequent use of the material requires the written permission of the Photo Curator or Video Archivist. All other rights, including those of further publications, are reserved in full by the AHC.
  3. The customer agrees to comply with the following requirements for an AHC credit line on published or displayed reproductions of AHC materials. All published or displayed reproductions of AHC materials require credit to the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, to include the AHC identification number, and to appear next to the image. The credit line for published and displayed images should read, for example “PICA #####, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.” If the item is not a photograph, list it by title or appropriate description. Please confirm the appropriate credit line with the AHC prior to publication or display.
  4. It is the customer's responsibility to obtain written permission from the donor, photographer, or copyright holder to use restricted items from the AHC collection, and to submit the credit line to the Photo Curator for approval. This permission is required prior to being granted AHC permission to use the image. Restricted items in the AHC collection include copyrighted and donated photographs, film and video.
  5. Possession of an Austin History Center image does not constitute permission to use it. Permission to publish or publicly display reproductions must be obtained from the copyright holder of the image.
  6. Alterations, including cropping of the original image, are not allowed in the publication of materials unless special written permission is given by the Photo Curator or AHC Manager. The credit line for cropped images should read, for example “Detail from PICA #####, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.” The AHC reserves the right to require a publication proof prior to final use approval.
  7. The customer shall send a copy of any publication containing reproductions of AHC materials to the AHC without charge. The customer shall provide the AHC with the Internet address (Universal Resource Locator) for reproductions appearing on Websites.
  8. The AHC reserves the right to deny copy order requests; limit the number of photographic and digital copies; restrict the use or reproduction of collection materials including rare, valuable or fragile items; ensure that material is reproduced with integrity; and charge special reproduction fees on items involving unusual difficulty in copying or that must be taken offsite to reproduce.
  9. Requests for copies of photographic items intended for commercial use may be subject to a special contractual procedure and agreement with the AHC. These requests, as well as any requests not specifically mentioned within the above policies, should be submitted in writing.
  10. Customer orders are held for pick-up for six months.
  11. The AHC charges a fee for customer photographic reproduction requests. Please see the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library “Custom Photo Reproduction Price List.” Approved customer requests to publish or display photographic reproductions are assessed a use fee in accordance with the “Fees for Publication or Display of Austin History Center Materials” set by the City of Austin City Council.
  12. The customer shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Austin and Austin History Center, its officers, employees, and agents against all liabilities, damages, expenses, including attorneys’ fees, resulting from any claims and other proceedings by any third party for copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the customer’s use of Austin History Center collection materials.
  13. It is the patron's responsibility to comply with copyright law, other applicable law, and donor restrictions, that may be involved in the use of the Austin History Center collection materials.
  14. Requests for video copies from the Austin Music Network Archives are subject to customer’s signature on the “AMN Archived Music Recordings Release and Indemnification” agreement, which prohibits any commercial use of these videos and imposes certain other restrictions on the customer's use.
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