Special Collections include Graphic Arts, Manuscripts and Photographs. These materials are available to individuals with a research need. Access requires an appointment booked in advance, as well as a list of selected material.
APPOINTMENTS & REQUESTING MATERIAL
Researchers must reserve an appointment in the Library’s Special Collections reading room: https://oscars.libcal.com/. You must also send a list(s) of the specific items you’d like to access at least 7 days in advance through the Academy Collection database. If you have not completed both steps, your appointment is not complete. Appointments are limited; please schedule your appointment as far in advance as possible (booking window begins 7 days from the current date). If you need to cancel or reschedule, please message researchrequest@oscars.org. Lack of prior notification or failure to appear will result in all materials being refiled and a new appointment will be required.
*Except for Core Collection photographic material, appointments and advance requests are not required to access anything in the Core Collection (books, periodicals, reference clipping files, scripts, and oral histories).
Use the Academy Collection database to submit a Request for access. Steps on how to create an account and make Lists and Requests can be found here. If you will be requesting more than a few items, create a List first. You can then add the List(s) to your shopping cart and proceed with the Request form. Submit one Request after you’ve added all the items you want to view by appointment. Digitized items should not be requested as these are simply accessed online, not pulled for an appointment.
If you need assistance with appointments or requests, please contact ref@oscars.org.
*Some items are stored off-site and require additional retrieval time. Some materials are oversized or particularly fragile making them difficult to access safely; access is therefore at the discretion of each collecting department.
USE AND HANDLING OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS MATERIAL
Access to all Special Collections materials is coordinated by the Special Collections desk staff. All such material must be viewed in the Special Collections reading room and may not be taken into the Core reading room. Only one folder or file of material may be viewed at a time. Each item must be handled with care and materials within each folder must be kept in their original order. Researchers may use pencil and paper, laptop computers, or tablets for notetaking. Pens are not allowed under any circumstances. Small hand-held tape recorders are allowed if their use does not disturb other patrons. Scanners and digital cameras, including the use of smartphones to photograph or film Special Collections material, are not permitted.
At the end of each research visit, please let the desk staff know if and when you will be returning to do additional research, and whether the materials you have been using should be held for your next visit or refiled.
SCANS, PHOTOCOPIES AND REPRODUCTIONS
For questions regarding the availability of low-resolution research quality scans/photocopies, or high-resolution, non-watermarked images for reproduction, please inquire at the Special Collections desk.
Manuscripts: Limited scanning/photocopying is available.
Graphic Arts: Due to the nature of the holdings, materials are often digitized for access in lieu of an in-person appointment. The turnaround time for this is typically 6-8 weeks.
Photographs: Digital prints or reproductions may be purchased as follows:
- Reproduction of prints, transparencies, slides, or negatives - $40 per 8x10 scan or print
- Rush order of same - $80 per 8x10 scan or print
- Academy Awards® /A.M.P.A.S. ® events - $50 per 8x10 scan or print [see *Note]
- Rush Academy Awards® /A.M.P.A.S. ® events - $100 per 8x10 scan or print [see *Note]
- Reproductions from bound volumes - $60 per 8x10 digital file or print
Photograph orders of 10 images or less, placed on any day of the week, will be digitally delivered, ready for pick up, or mailed out on the Friday of the following week by 12 noon. (An order between 11 and 20 images would be ready on the second Friday, at 12 noon, and so on.) There will be a slight delay during weeks which include legal holidays. Orders must be placed at the Special Collections Desk before 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
"Rush" orders, with a general limit of ten images, are usually ready within 48 hours. Additional costs are assessed, depending on what services are requested.
Rights and Permissions
Except for Academy Awards or other Academy-related materials, the Academy does not claim legal rights for publication or other types of commercial use or reproduction of materials in its holdings. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals regarding any information or images obtained from the library.
Although collection department staff may be able to inform researchers of any restrictions or offer general guidance relating to questions of ownership/permissions, this is in no way represents a substitute for legal consultation or research.
*Note: Academy Awards® images are provided by the Library for private research purposes only. Before ordering Academy Awards® images, please view Clip & Still page HERE for information. Rights to reproduce or publish these images may or may not be available from the Academy and the Library shall not issue a refund once an order is placed. An additional license fee may be assessed for publication or other commercial use of Academy Awards® photographs.