Imaging Services

Imaging Services is the primary provider of digital images, photographic prints and paper prints from microfilm within the Bodleian Libraries.

These are supplied for both academic and commercial use as defined under our terms of use. Please check to determine if your intended image use is permitted.

Before placing an order for images please see if what you require is on Digital Bodleian or Bodleian Images, the online picture library.

Digital Bodleian

Use Digital Bodleian to browse almost one million images of rare books, manuscripts and other treasures. To support and facilitate research, learning, teaching and engagement with these collections, you do not need to apply for permission or pay a fee to use images for academic use.

Bodleian Images

Bodleian Images is the online picture library of the Bodleian Libraries. You can view and buy digital reproductions of manuscripts, rare books, musical texts, maps, illustrations and photographs, for editorial publication and other use, from anywhere in the world.

If you wish to licence images for publication or commercial use, please consult our guide to available license options.

Digital images purchased through the online store will be available immediately for download in JPEG format. Each digital image is supplied with subject information and metadata for credit and copyright. If you require digital files in TIFF format, please contact us and we can discuss your requirements further.

Order images

If the item you require is not available through Digital Bodleian or Bodleian Images, you can request images and prints of items in the Bodleian Libraries’ collections through our image ordering service. Images will be captured with expert knowledge and to the highest standard possible.

There is a minimum order charge of £20 (including VAT).

Digital images are sent by download link (FTP). Due to file sizes, we cannot send images via email.

The standard turnaround time for orders to be processed and despatched is 21 working days from receipt of payment.

Products and prices

Download our full licences and fees list  

For large orders over 100 images please complete the order form in as much detail as possible and the price will be negotiated on receipt of the order.

Placing an order

• Download and complete the image order form  
• Image order terms and conditions  
• Image terms of use  

Guidance for completing an order form

For each request, make sure you have the correct shelfmark and page/folio numbers required.

A shelfmark is an individual reference given to collection material within our libraries. This reference should be followed by a folio/page number (e.g MS. Bodl. 264, fol. 1r). A complete shelfmark, including folio/page number, enables our team to locate and identify the collection material more efficiently.

For special collections items, you can locate shelfmarks using our special collections catalogues or Digital Bodleian.

For non-manuscript items, consult SOLO – the libraries' catalogue.

Alternatively, contact our colleagues in the relevant department:

• Maps: maps@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
• Music: music@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
• Rare books: bodleian-rare-books@maillist.ox.ac.uk
• All other enquiries: specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

As part of your order, you must provide full contact details, including an email address. Make sure these details are written clearly as these will be needed to contact you promptly with any queries relating to your order.

When completing your delivery information, make sure all sections are completed clearly to allow accurate despatch of images.

Order forms can be submitted by email, post and fax.

Copyright

All material is subject to UK copyright law. The Bodleian Libraries owns and retains the copyright on all reproductions produced at all times. This is separate from the original copyright of the material.

For more information, consult our copyright guide.

If the image is intended for non-commercial purpose or private study, you must complete a copyright declaration for any material still protected by copyright. This can be found in the Copyright Declaration on page 3 of the order form.

Reproducing images in electronic and/or printed form

Once you have self-assessed against the terms of use and decided that your permission request is non-academic/commercial, please complete the following actions.

If the ordered images are to be reproduced in an electronic and/or printed format for non-academic use, you must separately apply for permission to use the images.

• Permission to use reproduce images  
• Download our terms and conditions of license to use images  

The standard fees for each are given on the form. You may not reproduce any material supplied for any reason (other than academic or personal use), whether for profit or not, without written permission from the Bodleian Libraries.

Payment and delivery

Orders can take a number of weeks to be checked and authorized, depending on the availability and type of collection material you have requested.

Once this is complete, a pro-forma invoice will be sent to you by email, with details of how to pay.

You can pay by credit/debit card online or cheque. (We do not accept American Express.) Payment must be received before work on your order can begin.

The standard turnaround time for digital delivery or postal despatch is 21 working days from receipt of payment. Some orders may require longer turnaround times, in which case these will be agreed with the customer.

There may be a delay in obtaining collection material for photography if it has been requested by an on-site library services user.

About our images