Image Reproduction Services and Price List

About Our Services

The St. Louis Mercantile Library offers research assistance and image reproductions for professional and published works, including print, film, video, computer, and other productions. Contact us for more information or to enlist our services, and allow a week for response.

We respond to all requests, but the following limits apply:

• Research is limited to 30 minutes of staff time. For larger requests, you are encouraged to visit the library in-person. See our research services for more information.
• In-person and distance reproduction requests that exceed 30 minutes of staff time are subject to approval.
• A maximum of three (3) items or searches may be submitted per request. Additional requests will not be addressed until the first submission is complete.

Please note:

• Normal turn-around time is 21-28 business days but can be considerably longer for large requests. We cannot guarantee that the request can be filled within a specific time frame.
• Research time, reproduction, and delivery fees apply to all authorized work, even if we are unable to locate materials suitable to your needs.

Payment

All orders are payable upon order or receipt. Accepted payment forms include:

• MasterCard
• VISA
• Check (made payable to St. Louis Mercantile Library)
• Money order

New customers must provide a check, money order, or credit/debit card account information in advance of any services. However, you will only be charged for work actually done. If you pay by check or money order, we will refund any overpayment.

Reproduction and Licensing Fees

Prices are per image and per production. The basic image fee includes:

• Photography and scanning (negatives and inter-negatives are retained by the Library)
• Black-and-white or color photographic prints
  • 4x5 in. and 8x10 in., glossy finish or RC (resin coated) paper
  • or 35 mm transparency
• Fee for one-time use as licensed by the library
• Handling and delivery by first class mail
  • Courier, express or other premium delivery charges are additional.
•  

Transparencies that are difficult to photograph are loaned for a 2 week production-use period, and fees are the same. Other sizes, finishes, and custom work are additional.

Please note: You can not return prints or transparencies for refund or credit, even if they are not used in the production they are licensed for. However, unused images can be re-licensed.

Editorial Use

Basic editorial use fees apply when an image is:

• Used once in the main body of a single production in one medium
• Non-commercial, and not used to advertise, promote, or fund-raise

And when the production they are licensed for is:

• Produced in one language, edition, and title
• Only distributed or broadcast in North America (United States, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean region)
• Less than 10,000 total copies, if print or computer media

Examples include: 

• Books
• Articles
• Informational brochures or pamphlets
• Motion pictures
• Television programs
• Video, CD-ROM or computer product, or World Wide Web pages
• Posters
• Postcards
• Calendars
• Publication covers
• Product cover or containers
• Dust jackets or book end papers

 Commercial Use

Basic commercial use fees apply when an image is:

• Used only once in the main body of a single production in one medium
• Used to to advertise, promote, or fund-raise

And when the production they are licensed for is:

• Produced in one language, edition, and title
• Only distributed or broadcast in North America (United States, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean region)
• Less than 10,000 total copies, if production is print or computer media

Examples include:

• Print and digital advertisements
• Sponsored print and digital content
• Promotional books and articles
• Annual reports
• Promotional brochures and pamphlets
• Promotional motion pictures and television programs
• Infomercials
• Promotional CD-ROMs, computer products, and World Wide Web