Library Special Collections – Fees

Research & Fees Policy

The Special Collections Department is open to all researchers. For those who cannot visit the department in person, the staff will provide reference service and limited research service for collections held in the department as described below. Reference and research requests for collections held in Drinko Library or other Marshall University libraries must be directed to that library.

Reference service differs from research. We will provide reference service at no charge when the patron can provide a specific location of an item. An example is a request for a copy of a Parthenon article from the November 7, 1960 issue. Photocopying, postage and handling fees will apply.

Research requests involve searches for unspecified material about a particular subject which may be located in one or more collections. All research requests will cost $25.00 per hour paid in advance for a maximum of one hour. If nothing is found, no more than one hour’s charge will be assessed. If more than one hour is required, the patron will be notified before additional fees are charged. An example is a request for copies of articles in the Parthenon about Homecoming during the 1960s. Additional fees will be assessed for photocopying, postage and handling (see below).

All fees are to be paid before the work is done. Checks or money order should be made out to “Marshall University Libraries”. The department reserves the right to increase the following fees for large requests that would require extensive use of resources and staff time to complete. Please allow ten working days after receipt of payment for your research request to be processed.

All materials may be subject to the limitations stated in the Copyright Act of 1976.  See:  http://www.copyright.gov/title17/.Because of the fragile nature of some materials, reproduction in any form may not be possible.

Research Fees

  • The department does not normally conduct research for patrons and will determine on a case by case basis which research requests we can undertake.
  • Research Fee:$25.00 per hour for one hour maximum
  • If nothing is found, no more than one hour’s charge will be assessed. If more than one hour is required, the patron will be notified before additional fees are charged

Photocopying Fees

Photocopying is done only for items in the department's collections.

In House Patrons – (Faculty/Staff/Student/Community Patrons)

  • Photocopies:
  • $0.10 Herd Points per black & white page
  • (cash NOT accepted must purchase a Herd Points card in Drinko Library)
  • Scans:
  • FREE black & white or color digital copies can be saved to a patron provided USB flash drive or emailed

Offsite Patrons – (Community Patrons)

Please note if file is too large to be emailed – shipping and handling charges of $7.50 will be added to total cost.

  • Photocopies:
  • $0.25 per page up to 50 pages
  • $0.50 per page greater than 51 pages
  • Scans:
  • $0.15 per page

Lab School Transcripts Fees (Community Patrons)

  • Certified Transcript:
  • $10.00 per record. Addional copies of the same transcript are $2.50 each

Photograph Duplication Fees

The department does not duplicate personal images for the public. The fees listed are for materials in our collections.

In House Patrons – (Faculty/Staff/Student/Community Patrons)

  • For class project or research:
  • Free

Personal Use:

  • Photographic prints – $20.00 up to 8 x 10 Black & White or Color 600 dpi digital print
  • Digital Copy – $10.00 for a 600 dpi copy emailed (if small enough size) or on CD

Please note if file is too large to be emailed – shipping and handling charges of $7.50 will be added to total cost

Commercial Use –

All use fees are for a one time, non-exclusive use. Marshall University Special Collections does not grant open ended permission for future editions or other uses and never grants exclusive rights.

All images provided at 600 dpi TIFF unless otherwise requested.
Low resolution viewing copies provided free of charge.

For Use In Non Profit Profit
Retail spaces, Public spaces, Restaurants, Private galleries, Public Displays/Exhibits, etc $25.00 per image $35.00 per image
  • Publication: up to 1,500
  • 1,501 to 5,000
  • Over 5,000
  • $35.00 per image
  • $40.00 per image
  • $45.00 per image
  • $70.00 per image
  • $80.00 per image
  • $90.00 per image
    Online Flat Fee

  • Temporary < a year
  • Permanent > a year
  • $20.00 per image
  • $35.00 per image
  • $50.00 per image
  • $75.00 per image

Film Duplication Fees

The department does not duplicate films for the public. The fees listed are for materials located within our collections.

Faculty/Staff/Student Use –

  • For class project or research:
  • Free

Personal Use:

  • $10.00 per clip


Commercial Use –

All use fees are for a one time, non-exclusive use. Marshall University Special Collectins does not grant open ended permission for future editions or other uses and never grants exclusive rights.

Low resolution viewing copies can be provided if needed.

Please note if file is too large to be emailed – shipping and handling charges of $7.50 will be added to total cost

Television/Theatrical

For Use In (Minimum fee includes 30 sec)
World Wide Television, Cable, Satellite Broadcast $1,350.00 minimum / $45 per second thereafter
Network Television, Feature/Documentary $1,000 minimum / $35 per second thereafter
Music Video $1,000 minimum / $35 per second thereafter
PBS, Cable/Pay or Syndicated Feature/Documentary $750 minimum / $25 per second thereafter
Foreign Television Feature/Documentary
(1 Country)
$750 minimum / $25 per second thereafter

Television News Use

For Use In (Minimum fee includes 30 sec)
Local (Huntington/Ashland/Portsmouth) Market $250 minimum / $10 per second thereafter
Regional (West Virginia & Tri State) Market $450 minimum / $15 per second thereafter
National (Network/Cable/Syndication) Market $750 minimum / $25 per second thereafter
Foreign (1 Country) $550 minimum / $20 per second thereafter
Worldwide (Unlimited World Market) $900 minimum / $30 per second thereafter

Television Non Broadcast

For Use In (Minimum fee includes 30 sec)
Educational (Classroom) $450 minimum / $15 per second thereafter
Business / In House (Corporate or Religious) $550 minimum / $20 per second thereafter
Presentation (Non-Broadcast) $450 minimum / $15 per second thereafter
Museum (Non-Broadcast) $450 minimum / $15 per second thereafter

Commercial Advertising

For Use In (Minimum fee includes 30 sec)
Local (Huntington/Ashland/Portsmouth) Market) $550 minimum / $35 per second thereafter
Regional (West Virginia & Tri State) Market) $650 minimum / $45 per second thereafter
National (Network/Cable/Syndication) Market $750 minimum / $50 per second thereafter
Foreign (1 Country) $750 minimum / $50 per second thereafter
Worldwide (Unlimited World Market) $1000 minimum / $75 per second thereafter
Press Release / PR Video $500 minimum / $45 per second thereafter
Print Ad (Sill image from film only) $250 per image