Any reproduction, redistribution, publication, or other use, by any means, without prior written permission is prohibited. Requests for reproductions and/or digital images can be made. However, please keep in mind that all requests are subject to the following conditions:
For non-photographic items in Special Collections, we allow patrons to take images with their smartphones (without flash) during Special Collections appointments for free.
To order reproductions of non-photographic items in TESSA, complete and submit the Special Collections Reproduction Order Form. Email the completed form to specialcollections@lapl.org.
All orders must be prepaid for processing to begin. Incomplete order forms will result in a delay in processing.
NOTE: Do not use this form to order reproductions and/or reuse of photographs from Photo Collection. Information about reproductions and reuse of Photo Collection objects in TESSA can be found on the Photo Collection: Ordering & Use page.
For personal and commercial uses of the Library's images, once the completed order form is received, the Library will send to the user a Special Collections Reproductions Release Form which outlines any applicable use permissions and copyright restrictions. This agreement must be returned to the library before the order will be processed.
When using the library’s Special Collections images, the proper credit line is:
[Creator Name (if given)], [Collection Name], Los Angeles Public Library Special Collections.
Order turnaround time is one week, or five business days, from receipt of the signed Release Form (issued after the completed order form is submitted) and payment. For expedited service, with a turnaround time of two business days, there will be an additional surcharge of $25 per image.
| Personal Use (Personal research or home decor only | Pays only reproduction fee |
| Advertising and Product Design (for up to 3 years | $250 |
| Books - Interior One-time/one edition use, interior, single-language, print & electronic editions, includes self-published, text book, and university presses |
$75 for print run up to 1,000 |
| $125 for print run 1,001 - 5,000 | |
| $250 for print run over 5,000 | |
| Books - Cover One-time/one edition use, cover, single-language, print & electronic editions, includes self-published, text book, and university presses |
$150 for print run up to 1,000 |
| $200 for print run 1,001 - 5,000 | |
| $250 for print run over 5,000 | |
| Books - Cover or Interior Worldwide, all media, all editions, all print runs, all languages, in perpetuity, includes self-published, text book, and university presses |
$300 |
| Unpublished dissertations/thesis Uploaded to online platform Flat rate per 15 images, per platform |
$50 |
| Commercial Magazines/Journals Includes print and electronic |
$75 |
| Non-profit Journals Includes print and electronic |
$50 |
| Brochures and Flyers | $25 for non-profit |
| $50 for commercial | |
| Exhibitions | $50 for non-profit |
| $100 for commercial | |
| Documentaries and Television Programs Includes set design |
$50 for Free online streaming |
| $75 for Film Festival Submission | |
| $150 for Public Television | |
| $250 for Commercial Online Streaming | |
| $300 for Commercial TV broadcast and/or online streaming | |
| $400 for All media including theatrical | |
| $500 for Feature film | |
| $50 for Talk Shows and Extended Newscasts | |
| $75 for Commercial websites and app |
| Digital Image – 300dpi TIFF | $25 for up to 10 images/pages of a given item; $1 per page thereafter |
| Digital Image – 600dpi TIFF | $35 for up to 10 images/pages of a given item; $1 per page thereafter |
| Digital Image – Over 600dpi TIFF, up to 1200dpi TIFF | $55 for up to 10 images/pages of a given item; $1 per page thereafter |
| Digital Image – Over 1200dpi TIFF | $80 for up to 10 images/pages of a given item; $1 per page thereafter |
| 8.5" x 11" (image size 8" x 10") digital print (photographic quality print with 90 year life expectancy) | $30 |
| 13" x 19" (image size 11" x 14") digital print (photographic quality print with 90 year life expectancy) | $45 |
| Oversized (larger than 13" x 19") digital prints. | $30 set up fee plus 10 cents per square inch of printing |
An additional special handling fee of $25 will be assessed for oversized or fragile items at the discretion of staff.
In all cases, determination and approval to scan rests with Digitization & Special Collections Department staff.