Digital Files for Editorial, Commercial, and Other Uses

Updated January 2, 2024

Turnaround time for items requiring new digitization is 12 WEEKS from receipt of payment and written clearance, if applicable. There is NO rush service at this time.

Instructions for Obtaining High Resolution TIFF Files

  • Complete and submit the PERMISSIONS REQUEST FORM (online or pdf). You do not need to complete a form for each image ordered. Please submit ONE form with a listing of Image ID nos. for all images you are requesting.
  • Consult the fee schedules below.
  • Images found online in NYPL's Digital Collections have existing high resolution TIFF files available. Turnaround is within 2 business days. Please include the Image ID number, NOT the B-number or UUID number.
  • Special handling surcharges are affixed on top of fees posted below for any oversized item; or any item deemed to require special camera set-ups.
  • Digital files are transferred via a WeTransfer link. Please note links expire within 7 days of being emailed.

Payment

  • Requests will be invoiced via Freshbooks for payment by credit card or bank transfer (U.S. only) through the Freshbooks website.
  • Wire transfer payments are accepted for an added fee. (Domestic wire transfer fee - $25. International wire transfer fee - $35) Please email permissions@nypl.org for wire instructions.
  • The only direct payment to NYPL accepted is by check.
  • Permissions will not fill out any vendor paperwork or international tax forms.

Refunds

  • No refunds or exchanges are given for purchase of images that NYPL does not hold/manage copyright.
  • Partial refunds (less admin. fee of $50 per image for previously digitized and $75 for new digital photography) are given ONLY for non-use of NYPL copyright-held items licensed.

For non-editorial usage of material such as advertising, promotion, marketing, press kits, merchandising, etc., please contact Art Resource at requests@artres.com. Please email us at permissions@nypl.org  with details in regards to requests for merchandising, and a fee quote will be assessed.


Fee Schedule 1: Images NYPL Does Not Hold/Manage Copyright

Fee Schedule below lists one-time fees per image to access high resolution TIFF files. There are no usage restrictions or limitations put on these images. If item(s) in copyright, written clearance from a rights holder is required before the Library will proceed in processing. The Library will issue an invoice with citation and credit lines. The Library will not issue or sign written "permission" or "licensing" agreements for these images. NYPL permission is not required for any re-uses or additional uses.

Customer Existing TIFF File * New Digital Photography
Individuals (excluding Commercial Authors and Independent Filmmakers) $50 $75

Nonprofits/Museums/Government Agencies

Commercial Architect/Construction/Real Estate/Design Firms (Research use)

Commercial Authors

Independent Filmmakers

$100 $150

Commercial Magazines/Newspapers

Commercial Companies working on behalf of a Nonprofit/Museum/Government Agency

$150 $200
Commercial Publishers and All Other Commercial Organizations excluding above $250 $300


*There is a $100 surcharge on top of fees posted to rephotograph images already digitized to create
larger files.

**Fee is $100 per image for individual authors with a commercial publisher and for cover use for a nonprofit press

Fee Schedule 2: Images NYPL Does Hold/Manage Copyright

NYPL holds/controls copyright for such photographers as Percy Loomis Sperr, Kay Tobin, Diana Davies, Martha Swope, Vandamm Studio, Friedman-Abeles, White Studio, Walter Silver, etc. Please scroll down to bottom of page to access link to complete list of images/collections the Library holds or manages copyright.

Fee schedule below lists one-time licensing fees per image based on usage and includes obtaining a high resolution TIFF file. The Library will issue a written licensing agreement restricting usage to requested project and will provide citations and credit lines. Written permission and additional licensing fees will be required for any re-use.

  Licensing Fee - Existing TIFF File* Licensing Fee - New Digital Photography
PERSONAL/RESEARCH USE    
Individual only $50 $75

BOOKS

(one-time interior use in print and electronic editions, single-language, world rights)

   
Author Fee - Nonprofit Press    
Print run up to 1,500 $50 $75
Print run over 1,501 to 5,000 $100 $125

Author Fee - Commercial

Publisher Fee - Nonprofit and Government Agency

   
Print run up to 1,500 $100 $150
Print run 1,501 to 5,000 $150 $200
Print run 5,001 to 25,000 $200 $250
Publisher Fee - Trade and Textbook (including all auxiliary editions)    
Print run up to 1,500 $150 $200
Print run 1,501 to 5,000 $200 $250
Print run 5,001 to 25,000 $250 $300
Print run over 25,000 $450 $450
     
Book Cover Use    
Nonprofit/government agencies/self-published - print run up to 1,000 $150 $200
Nonprofit/government agencies/self-published - print run 1,001 to 15,000 $250 $300
Commercial publisher - print run up to 1,500 $350 $400
Commercial publisher - print run 1,501 to 5,000 $650 $700
Commercial publisher - print run over 5,000 $950 $1,000
     
EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC DISPLAY:    

Museum video/kiosk

Exhibition display less than 6 months

$150 $200
Exhibition display up to 1 year $250 $300
Exhibition display up to 5 years $450 $500
Permanent display $750 $800
     
DOCUMENTARIES:    
Free online streaming $100 $150
Film Festival $150 $200
Commercial streaming only $200 $250
All media excluding commercial television broadcast, theatrical & printed materials $250 $300
All media excluding theatrical & printed materials $450 $500
All media including theatrical but excluding printed materials $750 $800
     
PSA's/TV TALK SHOWS/NEWSCASTS/LIVE TV PROGRAMS:    
All media (excluding theatrical and print materials) $200 $250
     
FEATURE FILMS/TV PROGRAMS (non-documentary) with all media excluding print materials    
Set dressing $250 $300
All other uses $850 $900
     

NONPROFIT JOURNALS:

(fees are for one-time use in print and electronic editions)

   
Author fee $50 $100
Publisher fee $100 $150
Cover $150 $200
NONPROFIT BROCHURES, PROGRAMMES, FLYERS, NEWSLETTERS, etc.:    
Print run up to 1,000 $100 $150
Print run 1,001 to 5,000 $150 $200
Print run over 5,000 $250 $300
Cover $350 $450
COMMERCIAL BROCHURES, PROGRAMMES, FLYERS, NEWSLETTERS, etc.    
Print run up to 5,000 $250 $300
Print run 5,001 to 10,000 $350 $400
Print run over 10,000 $500 $550

COMMERCIAL NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES:

(fees are for one-time use in print and electronic editions)

   
Up to 1/4 page $250 $300
Half page $350 $400
Full page $450 $500
Cover $750 $800
     
ONLINE WEBSITE    
Individual (free access) $50 $100
Nonprofit/Government Agency (free access) $100 $150
Commercial Organization (free access) $150 $200
Any Fee-based/Subscription Website $250 $300
     
SOCIAL MEDIA (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)    
(up to one month's use)    
Nonprofit/Government Agency $150 $200
Commercial Organization (Non-promotional) $200 $250
Commercial Organization (Promotional) $250 $300


*There is a $100 surcharge on top of fees to rephotograph images already digitized to create larger files.

Existing Digital File

Regular delivery: within 2 business days.

Rush (same day delivery if order placed before 4:00pm EST): +$50 per image

New Digital File

RUSH SERVICE IS SUSPENDED. Files are delivered in 12 weeks.

Delivery

Digital files are transferred via a WeTransfer link. Please note links expire within 7 days of being emailed.

List of NYPL Rights-Held or Rights-Controlled Photographers/Creators and Collections 

Please note that this list is subject to change.