Obtaining Image Copies from the
California State Library, California History Section

Inquiries concerning image copies should be addressed to:

California History Section, California State Library
Library-Courts II Building
900 N Street, Room 200
Sacramento, CA 95814

The California History Section may be reached by phone at (916) 654-0176, or by fax at (916) 654-8777.

History Section hours are: Monday-Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm.

The Library is closed on State holidays.

When inquiring about an image seen on the Web, include all data accompanying the image as well as a print of the image itself.

Copy Availability

Requests for photographic reprints should be made in writing.

The Library has arranged for photographic services to be provided by a commercial photography firm. Billing for photographic reprints will be handled directly by the firm, and payment will be made to this firm. DO NOT SEND PAYMENT TO THE LIBRARY.

Normal turnaround time is six weeks.

Fees:

  • Charges for black and white photographic reprints range from $6.00 to $47.00 depending on size of original. A reprint of a 8x10 in. photo costs $10.00.
  • If a negative must be made before a photo is printed, the photographer will add $10.00 to the charge. The Library will retain the negative.
  • Color slides or 4x5 in. transparencies cost $25.00 each,     with a minimum of two copies.
  • All orders are subject to shipping/handling charges.
  • All orders are subject to a 7.75% sales tax.
Permission to Publish

  • Permission to publish images from the Library's collections must be requested by letter.
  • While no commercial usage fees are charged, the Library requests that a donation be made to the California State Library Foundation for each published image.