Overview

University of Houston Libraries provides on-demand digitization services to facilitate research using our special and general collections materials.

PDFs

We provide low-resolution PDF scans for research use:

• We deliver up to 50 PDF pages at no charge.
• Due to current staffing levels and capacity, requests over 50 pages may be subject to additional completion time.

High-resolution images

We provide high-resolution scanning to create digital images suitable for publication in print or online.

We deliver digital images for up to 5 items at no charge.

If you are aware of specific file formats or resolution requirements, this must be indicated in the request.

Audiovisual materials

We work with a specialized vendor for digitization of A/V formats. You will be responsible for paying the vendor directly for digitization requests of these formats. Please expect longer turnaround times for items sent out for reformatting.

Submitting a Request

Once you have identified the materials you would like digitized, please fill out our digitization request form. All requests must be submitted through the online form.

Our librarians, archivists, and/or preservation and reformatting staff will review your request and confirm receipt. They will follow up with you directly for additional information related to your request as needed.

Timeline and Delivery

Requests are completed in the order received.

For requests up to 50 pages, please allow 3-4 weeks for completion.

Digitized files will be delivered via OneDrive download, or a private streaming link for audiovisual materials.

Please Note: Wait times may increase during holidays, when requests involve audiovisual materials, or when requests exceed 50 pages. UH Libraries staff are ready to work with you if your request is large or complex in nature.

Restrictions

Some collections materials requested for digitization may not be in stable condition for reformatting or may be part of restricted collections. All requests are subject to review by the relevant UH librarians, archivists, and/or preservation and reformatting staff to ensure requests comply with all preservation standards and collections restrictions.

We reserve the right to limit the number of photocopies or PDFs requested. We will copy no more than 15% of the materials from a single archival collection or book, and we will complete copy requests in the order received, based on staff availability.

You will be alerted that your requests cannot be completed as requested as soon as possible.

Copyright

Archival materials and other collections owned by UH Libraries may be protected by copyright, trademark, or a related interest not owned by UH Libraries. It is the sole responsibility of the requesting patron to determine copyright status, obtain permission to publish from copyright holders, and abide by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of UH Libraries material in print or electronic form. Images of material in the public domain may be reused freely.

UH Libraries reserves the right to refuse to accept an On-Demand Digitization order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. Requests that cannot be completed will be communicated to the requesting patron as soon as possible.

Additional information

High-resolution versions of images in our Digital Collections may be requested through the “Request High-Resolution Images” form on that site

If you intend to publish or display copies of materials, either in print or electronically, please also submit an Intent to Publish form.

Need help with your research?

For help identifying the materials that you would like, or questions on the copyright status of any materials, please contact the appropriate librarian.

For general questions about our On-Demand Digitization services please contact:

Greg Yerke
Program Coordinator
gdyerke@uh.edu