The majority of Stepping Stones Archive has been digitized. Our digital photographs are in color and our documents are in black and white. Use of digital material safeguards the originals and protects them from harm. Therefore photographing originals is rarely permitted.
To apply for permission to use a digital image, please go back to the archive page and select and complete the Rights and Reproduction Form.
In the rare instance that a project or publication requires a color photograph of a manuscript or an image of material pending digitization, please use the form below. If physical condition of material permits, Stepping Stones will either make arrangements for the photographs to be made or, under exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be permitted supervised access to make photographs. To request a photograph or permission to photograph, please complete the form below and certify your agreement to the rules and conditions.
I agree to the following conditions:
- Permission will be obtained from the Stepping Stones staff before taking any photographs.
- Stepping Stones staff can limit the number of images that may be photographed.
- No tripods, camera flashes, special lighting or extra equipment is permitted.
- Standing on chairs, tables, or other furniture is not permitted.
- It is understood that it is not always possible to provide optimum lighting or space conditions for photography.
- Staff will not assist with the use of the camera.
- Photography must not disturb other researchers or staff.
- Use of the camera may be postponed at the discretion of the staff.
- Photographs of the staff, facilities, or other guests are not permitted.
- Each image must be taken accompanied by a completed citation slip. The citation slip must be placed under the folder and be visible in the photograph. It is the responsibility of the researcher to keep complete and accurate citations for all items photographed. Requests for orders of high-resolution images cannot be processed without this information. Staff will not check the accuracy of citations.
- All handling of materials will be done by staff. Documents will be kept flat on the table. Staff will supply appropriate weights and/or cradles for handling bound volumes.
- Researchers may not touch or reposition material to achieve a better-quality image.
- Items will not be removed from their protective sleeves.
- Pages will be kept in original order at all times. Only one folder or volume will be photographed at a time.
- A use agreement must be completed prior to the photo shoot.
- Images made for private study, scholarship, and research may not be shared, distributed, or entered into personal collections. After use, they shall be destroyed and removed from any devices. They may not be published in print, posted on the Internet, or exhibited.
- Images not be donated, sold, used for commercial purposes, or provided to another repository.
WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the 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.
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Stepping Stones Foundation, its agents and employees 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 these photographs.
I have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions above.