Digital Copying Pilot

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The Digital Copying Pilot concluded on 30 April 2008, and is currently being evaluated. While this evaluation is taking place, researchers are welcome to continue using their digital cameras under the Pilot conditions.

Registering to use your digital camera

After registering, researchers are able to use their digital cameras to take photographs of material they are using (including newspapers, books, maps, photographs, ephemera and unpublished material). Copyright restrictions apply to making digital copies, and copies can only be used for personal research.

To register, you will need to:

• agree to the conditions of the pilot (including the condition that any copies made are for personal research only)
• complete a short training session to learn how to handle collection items correctly
• have your own digital camera (the Library does not provide cameras).

You can find out more by emailing atl@natlib.govt.nz or calling (04) 474 3050.

Collection areas where cameras can be used

• Newspaper reading room (lower ground floor)
• Research Centre reading room (first floor)
• Manuscripts reading room (first floor)
• Photographic Archive (second floor, appointments required)
• Cartographic Collection (second floor, appointments required)
• Ephemera Collection (second floor, appointments required).

About the Digital Copying Pilot

The Alexander Turnbull Library ran the Digital Copying Pilot between January and April 2008 to trial a new way for researchers to make copies of collection items.

After registering to take part in the pilot, researchers were able to use their digital cameras to take photographs of material they were using (including newspapers, books, maps, photographs and unpublished material). Copyright restrictions applied to making digital copies, and copies could only be used for personal research.

The pilot was a response to researchers' requests for a faster, cheaper way to obtain digital copies of collection items. The pilot mirrored similar services already in place at other institutions, including the British Library and Archives New Zealand.

During the trial period the Library aimed to learn more about the potential demand for this service, and how space and staffing may need to be allocated if the service is permanently introduced.

The Turnbull Library began an evaluation of the Pilot in May 2008. Until the findings of the evaluation are confirmed, digital cameras will continue to be permitted as per the trial period.