Reasons to charge fees - are that it supports being able to have the photographic collection available for the public to see, use and request reproductions from. When someone challenges our fees and use fees, I explain that it costs money to keep a large collection and it takes time to handle each request we receive - that works for most people.

After glancing at your web link -- We have a bit more complicated use fee policy for reproduction, that spells out fees for the physical act of getting the scans together and the associated use fees for the images. We developed a policy primarily for reproduction use by TV, book and other publishers that includes fees for the reproductions (scanning) and use fees (dependent on the project - higher use fees for "for profit TV" productions, lower for books, etc. and a small $5 use fee per photo for non-profits if they document who and what they are and  will give us a copy of the end product (most of our demand on this end comes from our extensive Amelia Earhart photographic collection). Having use fees that are low for non-profits (Public TV primarily) stops most complaints - and if not I explain that I can only waive all use fees by taking the request to the board of directors for approval at the next meeting - next month.

We do have a bigger break for non-profits (a set fee for non-profit project - a non-profit or an individual doing a for profit project doesn't get breaks however (the project is the decision maker rather than the entity). The big break in fees we give is for Historical Society members - local businesses - individuals wanting a print to display etc. can have all use fees waived by becoming a member or noting their membership when they place an order for a photo (this once again does not apply to a profit making venture).

We also developed a less complicated system for individuals who would like a photograph to use in their family history research of home printed book, to display etc. I am still reworking this to make it even less complicated, We try to keep fees low but at the same time the income generated - even if it is only a relatively small amount - helps preserve the collection as a whole.
Chris Taylor
Executive Director
Atchison County Historical Society
P.O. Box 201
200 S. 10th Street, Santa Fe Depot
Atchison, KS 66002
913-367-6238
[log in to unmask]
www.atchisonhistory.org


Benjamin Neely wrote:

Dear List,

 

Our historical society receives a fairly substantial number of photographic reproduction requests from all sorts of patrons (individuals, for-profit entities, and non-profit entities).  I have been getting an increasing amount of requests from every demographic for a discount or to waive our fees for reproduction and usage altogether. Some causes are certainly more worthy than others but I want to be fair to everyone.  I certainly want to help one and all but our organization is a private non-profit, run by a small staff, and dependent on the income these fees generate. 

 

I am curious as to how other organizations handle such requests.  I would certainly be appreciative for any thoughts anyone would like to share. This is a link to our website where we posted information about regulations and fees: http://www.achs-pa.org/visit/rules.htm.

 

Thanks,

Ben

 

Benjamin Neely

Director of Historic Collections

Adams County Historical Society

111 Seminary Ridge

P.O. Box 4325

Gettysburg, PA 17325

717-334-4723 ext. 203

717-334-0722 fax

www.achs-pa.org

 

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