Digital Reproduction Requests

Local History and Archives has a unique collection of over three million images chronicling the history of Hamilton and surrounding areas dating from the mid-1800s.  More than 13,000 historical images are available online through the PreView website. High-resolution copies are available for purchase for personal and commercial use.  

To order reproductions, please download and complete a Digital Request form. Save and attach the completed form and submit it via email to askus@hpl.ca. You can also print this document and submit it in person at the Local History and Archives Information desk. 

For assistance in selecting images or completing the form, contact staff at askus@hpl.ca

Below is an overview of the process. 

Requesting Digital Reproductions at Local History and Archives

Type

Cost

 

Non-commercial Use

 

Use applies to images intended for artistic, educational, and/or personal projects that will not be marketed, promoted, or sold for monetary compensation.

 

Examples include personal research, websites (personal, civic and/or non-profit), home decor, gift.

 

$20 per image for 300 dpi

$30 per image for 600 dpi

 

Commercial Use

 

Applies to images that are intended for resale or reproduction in advertising, items for resale or other revenue generating enterprises.

Examples include books for sale (including textbooks and academic publications), journals with paid subscriptions, commercial websites.

 

$40 per image for 300 dpi

$50 per image for 600 dpi

Scanning Fee

 

Applies to any images not already digitized.

$20 per image

Details: 

  • Orders will be provided as a 300 dpi JPEG or 600 dpi TIFF, depending on your selection. 1200 dpi TIFF files may be available upon request.
  • Images can be delivered by email or on USB, to be picked up in person at Central Library. 
  • Print reproductions are not available. You can print large format images at our Makerspaces. 
  • Orders typically take 7-14 days to complete. Large orders, or images that are not already digitized may take longer, subject to Staff capacity. 

Copyright: 

It is the recipient’s obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions (such as donor restrictions, privacy rights, publicity rights, licensing and trademarks) when using, publishing or otherwise distributing materials received from Hamilton Public Library. Additional fees, set by the copyright or intellectual property owner, may apply and would be negotiated directly with them.

Payment: 

All image orders must be paid in full before digital image files are released. 

Payments can be made by Visa / Mastercard / debit card at Central Library or over the phone after an invoice is issued. 

Signed order forms can be submitted by email to askus@hpl.ca (preferred) or in person at Local History and Archives, at Central Library.