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The University Archives provides reproductions of images and documents from our collections upon request as long as the staff determines that copying will not harm the original document(s) or violate current copyright law. Low-resolution digital scans (PDFs) are provided to our users to support research and scholarship. 

• Our ability to deliver low-resolution digital scans is dependent on available staff resources.
• Priority processing will be given to requests in support of teaching and research by affiliates of Columbia University. 
• Reproduction orders for archival material are limited to a maximum total of 250 pages.
• Reproductions of Master's Essays or Dissertations are limited to 650 pages.
• We reserve the right to limit or refuse multiple orders or single requests which exceed our maximum order limits, or to charge fees for accepted orders which we discover to exceed the above maximum order limits.
• We can accept scan requests for “known items” (e.g. Box 7, Folder 3) but may not be able to fulfill requests which would first require dedicated research. Users may hire a current Columbia student to conduct research on their behalf.
• Bound materials other than Oral Histories, MA Essays and Dissertations cannot usually be reproduced via photocopy or low-resolution PDF and may need to be reproduced via high-resolution digital imaging.
• Requests for a complete unit or large amount of material, such as an entire box of manuscript material, cannot be fulfilled by low-resolution scanning. Reproductions may be possible through high-resolution digital imaging, if condition and copyright law allows. RBML staff will contact you if your request cannot be fulfilled by low-resolution digital imaging (PDF).
• Please note that you must agree to the Terms of Service and sign any order forms. Failure to sign forms will delay order processing.
• Accepted orders which meet these terms of service can generally be processed within 6-8 weeks.

If you wish to request scans, read and agree to the above Terms of Service and complete and return the approrpiate form below to initiate a request. Library staff will review your request. We will contact you if your order cannot be fulfilled. If your order is accepted and can be processed, we will contact you to provide further instructions.

• PDF Order Form and Instructions
• High Resolution Digital Reproduction Order Form and Instructions

• Full text copies of dissertations published since 1997 (and some earlier dates) are available to Columbia UNI holders via ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database. Non-Columbia patrons may order copies via ProQuest Dissertation Express. Various formats & fees apply.
• Master's essays can be found by searching CLIO, our online library catalogue, with call numbers starting with COA. 
• School of the Arts Writing Division MFA Essays require the permission of the author in order to be reproduced. Researchers should request permission via the School of the Arts Writing Division Office (212-854-4391; writing@columbia.edu). Once permission is received, the reproduction order can be processed. 
• There is no charge for a PDF copy of master's essay or dissertation up to 650 pages in length.We reserve the right to charge a fee of $30.00 for each additional title requested.
• There is no charge for previously scanned works.
• If a disseration is available for download via ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database or for purchase via ProQuest Dissertation Express, that is where a copy must be obtained.
  

If you are the author, or an heir of the author, of the thesis you are requesting, please consider adding the digital version to Academic Commons, Columbia's institutional repository. Email repository staff at ac@columbia.edu to learn more.

For information on how to find and order copies of Columbia University Master's essays and dissertations, please check out our Master's Essays & Dissertations research guide.

If a reproduction order for archival material exceed our limits – 250 pages for manuscript material, 650 pages for Master’s essays or dissertations, or (4) high resolution TIFF or JPEG files – we reserve the right to limit or refuse such requests or to charge fees for accepted orders as noted below:

• PDF copies of manuscript material: $0.25 per page
  
• PDF copies of Master's essays or dissertations:
  
  • $30.00 for up to 650 pages.
    
  • No fee for a copy of a previously scanned work.
• High resolution (600 dpi) TIFF or JPEG digital reproductions (UA):
  • $10.00 new scan
    
  • No fee for a copy of an existing scan