The Bentley Historical Library considers requests for limited duplication of materials, depending on their condition. First, you must register for your Bentley research account, which tracks your duplication order.

How to Submit a Duplication Order Online

1.) Log into your research account and follow the instructions for requesting an item. 

2.) Click the “Request Duplication” button in the Request Type section, which adds the duplication form to the bottom of the page:

3.) In the Items to Duplicate box, type in any additional information or notes about your desired material (ex. “all contents,” “first 10 pages only,” etc.). Choose your Format, Delivery Method, and Service Level from the drop-down menus.

4.) Click the Submit Request button.

5.) You will see an additional Order Status for the request:

If you’re visiting the Reading Room to choose material, you can fill out a brief paper order form and use paper slips to “flag” your selections in your box/item. We can then convert your original request into a duplication order, which you can track in your research account with the transaction number.

If you have any questions about duplicating materials, you can always fill out our “Ask an Archivist” research request form or email bentley.duplication@umich.edu.

Duplication Information

Standard Digital Imaging Duplication

Price

We are pleased to offer about 250 pages of standard digital imaging services per fiscal year for free. Due to our order volume, we are unable to accept larger orders.

Resolution

Most items are digitized in color at 400 PPI (pixels per inch). This meets most personal research and publication needs. Items such as negatives and slides are digitized at a higher resolution.

Formats

We provide the following format options. Paper copies may be charged for USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate service.

• • PDF files are commonly used for documents to be read for personal research. Multiple items are combined into one “packet.”
  • TIFF files are commonly used for images in print publications. They are high quality files that are uncompressed and large in size.
  • JPEG files are commonly used for images that will go online. They are compressed files that are smaller in size and lower in quality than TIFF files.
  • Paper copies are printed in black and white from a scan of the item. Paper is available up to 11×17 inches in size. 

Oversize Imaging

Price

Oversize items, such as large maps, must be scanned offsite. They will be reviewed for condition before the order is approved for processing. We offer about 10 sheets of oversized imaging for free per fiscal year (July-June).

Formats

We can provide PDF, TIFF, or JPEG files for oversize items. Please be aware that TIFF or JPEG files may be very large and take extra time to open on your computer.

Image Bank Orders

You can see a small sample of our materials in the Bentley Image Bank.

Resolution

Items have been digitized in color at varying PPI (pixels per inch).

Formats

These images can be downloaded as JPEG files for free by using the “Download Image” option below the photo. You can click on the “Order This” button if you need TIFF format.

Albert Kahn Architectural Drawings

Reproductions of Albert Kahn architectural drawings require permission from Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. Please contact Reference staff at bentley.ref@umich.edu for duplication permission forms and further ordering instructions.

Price

Items cost $5/sheet plus a $5 preparation fee. 

Resolution

Items are digitized at 300 PPI (pixels per inch)  in black and white.

Format

Items are only available as PDF files.

Delivery

Method

Completed orders will be made available for download from your Bentley research account or our Dropbox transfer site.

You may opt to have files saved to a disk and mailed to you via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate service.

Timeframe

Normal processing time for digital imaging is 7-9 weeks depending on format/volume; however, we cannot guarantee that orders can be fulfilled within a certain time period. Please see below for payment and rush order information.

Audiovisual (AV) Digitization

To protect fragile analog audiovisual recordings (such as audio cassettes, film reels, and VHS tapes), the Bentley has a policy of converting them to digital formats whenever a researcher requests access. 

If you would like to download a copy of a recording, your order must be approved by the copyright holder.

Standard

We recommend standard media files for most uses and a more efficient delivery. This meets most personal research and publication needs. 

Production 

Production quality files may require additional download time, storage and, on occasion, alternate delivery methods.

Price

Online streaming is free. 

Personal copies of audio or video files may be available for download pending copyright review by Curation archivists. If approved, we are able to provide about 8 AV recordings per fiscal year for free. Due to our order volume, we are unable to accept larger orders.

Delivery

Method

Files can be accessed on Reading Room computer workstations, the Bentley Digital Media Library (BDML), or, when possible, our file delivery platform.

Completed orders for download will be made available through our Dropbox transfer site.

Timeframe

Normal processing time for AV digitization is 10-12 weeks depending on format/volume; however, we cannot guarantee that orders can be fulfilled within a certain time period. Please see below for payment and rush order information.

Payment

When your order is ready, an order total will be sent via email or postal service. We can accept U.S. check/money order or credit cards for payments.

International researchers may also use an electronic bank transfer, which will add the bank’s fees to your order total. Please email Reference staff at bentley.ref@umich.edu for details.

Credit card payments are handled by the U-M Shared Services Center (SSC) Receivable Office. You will pay online through the SSC portal, which uses Authorize.net. Please visit http://myumi.ch/L4wM7 and scroll down to the “Pay Now” button. You will need to enter order information as described in the payment notification email and will be emailed a credit card receipt. Upon verification of payment at the Bentley, your order will be delivered as indicated on your order form.

If you have questions regarding your payment or any difficulty submitting payment, please contact the SSC office at 734-615-2000 or electronicpmts@umich.edu.

Rush orders may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Please consult with a Reference Archivist.

Research to Find Images

Reference staff can provide a limited amount of time to locate specific images in our collections. Please fill out the “Ask an Archivist” online reference request form. Requests to find images will be treated as regular research requests and will be answered in the order in which they were received. If Reference staff finds any images matching the request, they can email you an overview of their findings along with the necessary instructions required to order electronic scans.

Copyright

Please visit our Permissions Polices page for further information and citation examples:

https://bentley.umich.edu/research/permissions-policies/

Other Considerations

The library is able to assist patrons with the digitization of materials as permitted by copyright law and donor agreements. To ensure the security of our collections and provide consistent service to all researchers, the digitization or scanning of archival materials in any format will be undertaken and managed by the Bentley Historical Library in accordance with recognized best practices and professional standards.