The Rubenstein Library can digitize materials from our collections for research or publication, even if you aren’t able to visit our library in person.
- You need to have an online researcher account to request scans or digitized material. You don’t need to be affiliated with Duke University to have an account.
- Please be as specific as possible with your request. Due to the number of requests we receive, reference quality scanning requests are limited to five hours of scanning per calendar year. If you need help identifying material, get in touch first and a librarian will assist you.
- For details regarding scanning and digitization costs please consult our Fees Guide. We accept online payments via Mastercard, Visa or Discover. We also accept checks by mail. Please contact RL-repro@duke.edu if you prefer to pay by check.
- For guidance on file types and formats for scanning and digitization orders, please consult our File Type/Format guide.
- Most orders are delivered within 8 to 10 weeks after you have submitted payment.
- See Making a Reading Room Request if you want to request scans or digitization of material you have previously used in the reading room.
Placing your request
You can begin the process from the collection guide or the catalog record for the item you want to have scanned or digitized:
If you're looking at a collection guide, click the green "Request" button on the left to get to the catalog.
Scroll down to the "Locations" section of the catalog record. If you see the box or volume you're looking for, click the blue request link to create your request. If you want to use multiple boxes or volumes, you'll need to submit requests for each one individually.
Some titles have too many boxes or volumes to display at once. If you don't see the box or volume you need, use the "Description" option in the yellow "Filter by" bar to bring up a list of all the boxes or volumes. Select the one you need.
The box or volume you've filtered to will display. Click the blue request link.
After clicking the blue Request link, you will be promted to sign in to your account or create one. You will then see a request form with two options. Select Option 1: Order a Digital Copy by clicking the blue "Start a Digital Copy" button.
This will take you to the Digitization Request Form. To complete the request, fill out the Details and Copyright Agreement/Terms of Use portions at the bottom of the form.
In our form please complete the following fields:
Describe your request: Describe the specific material you want, including folder titles, page numbers, captions, or descriptions of images. Be as specific as possible. If you're not sure where relevant material may be located, get in touch first and a librarian can assist you.
Format: Select the file format you require. Please note that the Rubenstein Library only provides digital copies.
For publication: If you plan to publish or exhibit your request, check the For Publication or Exhibition box. Please note that Publication of Duke-copyrighted material required submission of a permission request through our permission request form.
Special Requests/Questions: Include any additional information about your order for reproduction staff.
If you have previously been in contact with a Rubenstein staff member about your request, please check the box and select the name of the staff member.
For Copyright Agreement and Terms of Use, read the notice and check the three boxes below it to acknowledge that you have received a notice of copyright restrictions. If you are requesting additional permissions for collections to which the copyright interests have been transferred to Duke University, please submit a Permissions Request Form. For more information on copyright, please visit our Citations, Permissions & Copyright page.
When the form is complete, click "Submit Request" at the bottom.
Your request is now submitted, and staff will review your request and contact you if any additional information is needed. Once the order has been confirmed with a staff member, we will send you an invoice with instructions on how to submit your payment online. Most requests are delivered within 8 to 10 weeks after you have submitted payment.
After the request is submitted, you can go to your Rubenstein Library account to check the status of your order.
