Permission must be obtained from the copyright holder for use of quotations beyond fair use; for publishing or reproducing documents, images, or audiovisual content; or for publication and/or broadcast of content in any form, including print, exhibitions, websites, film, video, audio, or any electronic media produced for public distribution.

In some cases, copyright may held by Smith College Special Collections. However, in most cases the copyright is held elsewhere or, where applicable, the materials may be in the public domain. The responsibility for managing copyright permissions rests entirely with the person(s) or organization seeking to publish.

Anyone seeking to publish or use materials beyond fair use must complete a permission to public contract, which will be prepared and sent after you place your order. Appropriate attribution is expected, appreciated, and helpful to other researchers. To obtain permission to publish, submit your request in writing to Smith College Special Collections.

Permission is granted under the following conditions:

1. Permission is granted for one-time use only (unless specific exceptions are granted and listed below) and for the purpose listed above.  Any subsequent use (including subsequent editions, paperback editions, foreign language editions, etc.), constitutes reuse and must be applied for in writing.  An additional fee will be charged for each subsequent edition.
2. Citation information supplied in “Description…” above and the photographer's name, if known or if it can be determined, must be included in the credit line. Each image needs its own credit line.
3. Smith College Special Collections requests notification of the publication,when possible.
4. Reproductions must be purchased directly from the Special Collections and may not be obtained or reproduced in any fashion from outside published or unpublished sources.
5. Publisher agrees not to permit others to reproduce the image or recording or any facsimile of it; not to reproduce the image on a dust jacket, end paper, advertisement, or any commercial use of a similar nature without permission and without paying an additional permission fee, as may apply; and not to mass-reproduce as unbound material unless specifically authorized by a letter of permission.
6. In authorizing the publication of any material, Special Collections does not surrender its own right to publish it, or to grant permission to others to do so.
7. Special Collections reserves the right to limit the number of images; to restrict the use or reproduction of rare or valuable material; to make special quotations on material involving unusual difficulty in copying; and to charge a higher copying fee than specified.  Copies are not supplied to picture agencies.
8. Any exceptions or additions to the above conditions are noted below, and considered part of the contract.