Order an image
The Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab provides high quality digital images of our Special Collections material for research and publication.
Placing an order
Please note: We are currently running a limited service, and our turnaround time is approximately 8-10 weeks from payment. Please state any deadlines in your enquiry form and we will do our best to meet them.
Please complete the Imaging Service online enquiry form to request images and/or permissions. The enquiry form should include as much information as possible, including reference numbers.
- By placing an order or making an enquiry for reproduction you are agreeing to our Terms and conditions.
- Before placing your order, search the Library's Digital Collections to see if the Special Collections material that you require has already been digitised. More info on accessing our digital collections.
- Search the Library's Special Collections to ensure you have the full bibliographic details of the item.
- If you require permission to publish any images of our material, this can be made on the Imaging Service online enquiry form.
- You should also ensure that copyright restrictions are being observed when placing an order.
- We do not accept requests from Inter-Library Loan Departments; please refer individuals directly to our service.
Payment
- Imaging Service prices
- Payment will be requested in advance of an order being processed via our secure Imaging eStore.
Timescale
If new digitisation is required:
- Up to 4 weeks to assess your request and send a quote for digitisation
- Once payment is received, 8-10 weeks turnaround time for receiving images
If the item requested is already digitised:
- We will provide a high resolution image and credit line for reproduction (if applicable)
- Once the request has been acknowledged, 2 weeks turnaround time for receiving images
If you have a deadline, please include this in your enquiry form. We will always try to meet deadlines, but please be aware that it may not always be possible during busy periods.
Preservation
Preservation of the Library's collections is covered by our Collection Care Policy. It is our intention to make sure that all collections are preserved for the future. For this reason, we reserve the right to refuse any imaging service request which in our opinion may cause damage to the original material if processed. Where this occurs, we will explain to you why we cannot proceed with your original request, and offer an alternative if one is available.
Internal transfers
Payment can be accepted from departments within the University by the internal transfer system. The official order must contain the finance journal transfer code in full to facilitate the transfer. Staff who supply the journal transfer code are exempt from VAT.
Search service
If you are unable to provide sufficient bibliographic data for us to process your order, you may wish to engage the services of a third party researcher to undertake a comprehensive search on your behalf.
The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) is a useful resource to help locate a local researcher.
Enquiries
We are happy to discuss all imaging services and applications for permission to reproduce images from our collection with you. Please contact us for special requests or requirements. We reserve the right to charge by the hour for more complex material. For further information please contact us.
Other Imaging enquiries
Please always fill out the enquiry form in the first instance, but if you have a question or need help filling out the form please get in touch via email: uml.imaging@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: + 44 (0)161 275 3764
Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab
The University of Manchester
The John Rylands Library
150 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 3EH