Our policy is designed to assist readers with note-taking by permitting use of digital cameras and camera-enabled devises such as tablets, document cameras and smart phones in the Carol K. Pforzheimer Reading Room.

Photographs must be for study or educational purposes only. To obtain images for publication, please see our instructions for ordering scanned images for publication

Imaging by readers is subject, but not limited to, the following conditions:

• The Library reserves the right to refuse permission when such imaging would cause injury to Library holdings and/or violate donor restrictions or copyright.
• Audible features and flash must be disabled.
• No free-standing tripods or portable scanners requiring contact with materials are allowed. For more information about equipment available for loan on a first come, first served basis, please see our Planning a Visit Guide.
• Materials must be handled properly and with great care:
  • Bound volumes must be supported in a book cradle; no pressure can be applied to the bindings.
  • Manuscript / archival material must remain in its folder and kept in order at all times. Documents must be kept flat on the table. If material is stapled, please see desk attendant before proceeding.
• It is the responsibility of each reader to record proper citation information for each item photographed.
• No pictures may be taken of other readers or the staff.

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 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 user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Schlesinger Library, the Radcliffe Institute, and the President and Fellows of Harvard College against all claims, demands, costs and expenses incurred by copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the use of the Library's materials.