For those of you reviewing the fees that your library or institution charges for photos and other materials, please consider the following:
Libraries that impose high fees for the materials in their collections discourage people from using those materials in publications. This can affect promotion of local cultural sites, even those that are prominent nationally. I have seen the following happen many times with cultural sites: people representing magazines and books decided NOT to use a photo of a historic site because photo fees were too expensive; as a result, they used a photo of another site because the fee was cheaper. So, one historic site received a promotional plug while another missed out.
In your zeal to "cover costs," consider the lost promotional opportunities you may be creating for your community's cultural sites if your fees are high. Keep your fees at a reasonable level.
Monta Lee Dakin