Digitization & Use
Smith College Special Collections
Digitization
Smith College Special Collections is pleased to provide reproductions of our textual, visual and audio materials, when such reproductions will not damage the original or violate any restrictions on the materials. As it is part of the mission of Special Collections to make its resources available as widely as possible, researcher-driven digitization of collection material made upon request will subsequently be made publicly accessible online at no cost, if legally permissible. In this way, patron requests help increase access among researchers.
- Please see our statement on Permissions & Copyright before submitting your request.
- If you plan to publish or cite material from the Smith College Special Collections, please read the Permissions and Attribution pages.
Fees & Payments
Please see Fees & Payments for costs and payment methods.
Make a Request
To request reference scans, high resolution images, or digital copies of materials, email specialcollections@smith.edu identifying the materials you wish to have reproduced. Please note that requests for PDF copies will be priced by the folder rather than the individual item.
Be as specific as possible and include the following.
For materials listed in the Finding Aids
- Collection name
- Box number
- Folder number/title (where applicable)
- Item number/title (where applicable)
- Link to the finding aid
- Delivery format (See Fees & Payments page for options)
- Any additional description of the specific materials you are requesting
For materials listed in Discover Advanced
- Title
- Call number
- Page numbers
- Link to the catalog record
- Delivery format (See Fees & Payments page for options)
- Any additional description of the specific materials you are requesting
After submitting your request, staff will review the materials and conduct a page count, and then get back to you with a cost estimation. Upon your confirming the order, staff will begin scanning. Prepayment is required on some orders.
Researchers may receive up to 300 pages of digitized content per calendar year.
Providing incomplete information will delay services. If you are unsure of what you may need access to, we would be happy to assist when we can. Please note, to preserve originals, we may not be able to digitize some materials. Requested materials will be evaluated by staff to determine their condition.
Camera Use in the Reading Room
If you are able to visit our reading room in-person, non-flash photography of materials is encouraged. The Special Collections reading room is equipped with three models of document cameras: a Hovercam Solo 8Plus, a Hovercam Ultra8, and a Hovercam Ultra10, two iPads, and specialty lighting available for researchers on a first come basis.
See the Camera Use policy in the Reading Room for more information on our in-person equipment. You also may use your own personal camera. There are no fees for use of personal or Smith College equipment.