Copies of most items in our collections can be made or supplied, within the limitations of the Copyright Act 1994 and our own usage guidelines.
Copies can be made or supplied in these formats:
- photocopies of most items
- digital copies of items
- microfilm and microfiche printouts, and microfilm copies
- computer printouts from databases in the National Library General Collections
- sound and audio-visual recordings (except complete oral history recordings)
- filming of items.
Some items can't be copied, even if they are no longer in copyright. These include full oral history interviews and items that are likely to be damaged if copying is attempted.
Pricing and payment differs depending on whether the item is in the National Library General Collections or the Alexander Turnbull Library collections.
Download National Library General Collections copying price list
Download Alexander Turnbull Library copying price list
Alexander Turnbull Library image orders price list (PDF) - Timeframes website
Photocopies
You can make photocopies from items in the General Collections and Turnbull Library Pictures, using the self-service photocopiers on the ground floor. A colour photocopier is also available.
More about the National Library General Collections
More about Turnbull Library Pictures
Order photocopies through your local library
You can order photocopies through your local library using the interloan service.
Photocopies from the Alexander Turnbull Library collections
Photocopies from items in the Alexander Turnbull Library collections are made by staff, as items are often fragile or rare.
Order photocopies when you visit, or by letter, phone or email. Allow up to two days for photocopying orders to be completed and longer for large orders.
Some items cannot be photocopied. We may also suggest printouts be made from microfilm copies to protect the original items.
Ask a librarian for research help
Digital copies
Digital copies of items in the collections can be ordered when you visit, or by letter, fax or email. You can also make copies of certain collection items using your own digital camera. Copies can also be ordered on Timeframes, our online database of heritage images.
Allow 10 to 15 working days for copies to be made. Large orders and orders with special requirements may take longer and should be discussed with us first. You must pay when you make your order.
We also offer an FTP service for broadband users (it is not recommended for people with dial-up modems). After registering for a username and password with the Library, you will be able to download the digital files you have requested from the FTP website.
The turnaround time for image orders (approximately 10 working days) remains the same.
More about ordering images via FTP, including software requirements
Ask a librarian for research help
More about ordering images on Timeframes
Microfilm and microfiche
You can use our microfiche and microfilm printers to make copies from items in these formats when you visit us. You can also order microfilm printouts by letter or email. We will post them to you or you can pick them up at the Library.
Allow five working days for copying from newspapers in the Turnbull Library collections, where pages need to be microfilmed first.
Ask a librarian for research help
Microfilm purchase
You can purchase microfilm copies of published items in the Turnbull Library collections. Check the National Library Catalogue for what's available.
Copies of manuscript items on microfilm can also be purchased. Check TAPUHI to find out what has been microfilmed.
Where items are not microfilmed, contact the curator of the collection to see if microfilming is possible.
Ask a librarian for research help
Computer printouts
Printouts can be made from electronic resources and web pages in the General Collections using the computers on the ground floor.
Sound and audio-visual recordings
We can make copies of sound recordings in the National Library Music Collection. You need to supply us with a blank CD or cassette and where appropriate get written permission from the copyright holder.
You can order excerpts from some oral history interviews and other recordings held in the Oral History Centre for public use, such as exhibitions, websites, broadcasts and lectures. Permission procedures and other conditions need to be cleared first.
In general, copies cannot be made from sound and audio-visual recordings (vinyl records, CDs, DVDs) in the Alexander Turnbull Library collections.
More about the Music Collection
More about the Oral History Centre collection
Filming items
Film and television production crews should contact us in advance to make arrangements for supervised filming in the building. Hourly filming fees apply for filming of items in the Alexander Turnbull Library collections.
Paying for copies
Pay as you copy from the National Library General Collections, using the self-service photocopiers. You can pay for photocopies from the Alexander Turnbull Library collections and computer printouts at the Visitor Centre on the ground floor.
Pay for photocopies from items in Turnbull Library Pictures at the Turnbull Library Pictures desk.
If you are ordering copies from outside the Library, payment can be made by cheque or credit card. Pre-payment is required for digital copies.
Regular users can set up accounts. These are useful if you are getting copies for an organisation. Once approved, account holders will be billed monthly.
