Special Collections - Research & Fees

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”. 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.

The department does not normally conduct research and will determine on a case by case basis which requests it can be undertake.

Family history request --- 30 minutes, no charge. Additional time will be charged at the Research Fee rate.
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 is done only for items in the department's collections. Patrons may use photocopiers in the department for $0.05 per copy for personal use.

Photocopying (black & white only) --- $0.25 per page up to 50 pages
Photocopying (black & white only) --- $0.50 per page in excess of 50 pages

Postage and handling $5.00

Certified transcript --- $10.00 per record. Additional copies of the same transcript are $2.50 each.

Postage and handling --- $5.00

The department does not scan images for the public. The fees are for materials in its collections.

Photographic prints (black & white, color) 4x5 ---    $5.00
Photographic prints (black & white, color) 5x7 ---  $10.00
Photographic prints (black & white, color) 8x10 --- $20.00
Digital images (500 dpi or less) --- $5.00 (tiff or jpg format)
Digital images (600 dpi or more) --- $7.00 (tiff or jpg format)

Images taken with own camera or scanner (by special permission only) --- $0.50 for each print imaged

Digital images can be emailed at no cost. Postage and handling for mailed images, $5.00. Mailed digital images are placed on CD-ROM

The department does not transfer film or video tape for the public. Digital moving images are placed on a DVD
Fees for Marshall University faculty, staff and students will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
The department will consider reciprocal arrangements for state agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals who are donors to or supporters of Marshall University Libraries.

Postage and handling --- $5.00

Special Collections, Morrow Library, Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755
Telephone 1-304-696-2343
Fax 1-304-696-2361
Content maintained by the Special Collections Web Development Team