Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center
The Reading Room is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and the second Saturday of the month. For our most current hours, please visit the Robinson Research Center page.
The Reading Room is available for walk-ins and holds the largest genealogical library in the state. Manuscripts, Graphics, and other select collections are available for viewing by appointment only when we are open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Please contact our staff at reference@rihs.org for more information or to schedule an appointment. For additional information about visiting please see our in-person visitor policies.
For Audio or Moving Image inquiries please contact miac@rihs.org
For Museum Object inquiries please contact Luis Vasquez lvasquez@rihs.org
General Research Inquiries
All inquiries receive 15 minutes of expert collections research by the RIHS Reference Staff. This includes but is not limited to, time spent searching our card catalogs and already digitized material.
If we identify additional resources that are not available in digital formats, we will be in touch regarding an estimate for additional services, including reviewing and scanning manuscripts, printed items, and/or microfilmed collections. Please note that scanning services are subject to the condition of the material.
Research services are available for $50 per hour with a 3-hour limit per project. Multiple projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
RIHS members receive a discounted rate of $30 per hour for all research inquiries. To learn more about becoming a member, please visit our member page.
Please email reference@rihs.org to request remote research or to schedule an in-person appointment to view materials in our Manuscript or Graphics Collections.
Museum Collections Research Visits
RIHS Museum Collections are available for viewing by appointment only. Research visits are limited to 2 hours with a cost of $50 per hour. Visits may also incur an additional $75 retrieval fee for large or fragile objects. Researchers will receive an estimate for their visit when making an appointment.
RIHS members receive a 50% discount on one Museum Collection research appointment per calendar year. To learn more about becoming an RIHS member, please visit our member page.
For Museum Collections inquiries or to schedule an appointment, please contact Museum Collection Manager Luis Vasquez at lvasquez@rihs.org.
Moving Image and Audio Collection (MIAC) Research
The Moving Image and Audio Collections are fragile and require specialized handling and preparation to provide access copies for viewing and research. Primary access to records, by topic, is through our online catalog, The Cabinet. RIHS staff are available to discuss new projects and research for both commercial and non-profit use.
Please contact miac@rihs.org
You may also view our YouTube Channel for film highlights from the collection.
Rights and Reproductions
The RIHS does not restrict the use of images of items in the public domain. For items under copyright not held by the RIHS, it is the sole responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission to publish from the rights holder.
All published images of RIHS collection items should be accompanied by the credit line: “Courtesy of the Rhode Island Historical Society”
Reproduction and Access Fees
Existing Digital Files
Any existing digital images available on The Cabinet include a watermark and are available for use at no charge. These images may be freely downloaded for research, teaching, presentations, and/or non-commercial projects.
Images without the watermark are $45 per JPEG (300dpi). Photographic prints are $45 for 8” x 10” prints and $60 for 11” x 14” prints.
Copies of existing full-resolution digital files from the Moving Image and Audio Collections are $60 per file.
New Digital Files
The creation of a new digital image from our Manuscript and Graphics collections is $60 per JPEG (300 dpi). New digital photography of items from our Museum Collections is $70 per hour with a 1-hour minimum.
RIHS staff may also determine a request for new digital images is a special project. Special projects include items that need to be retrieved from storage or exhibition, items that are three-dimensional and require a mount to be made or items that are especially fragile and require special handling. Costs for special projects are $70 per hour with a 1 hour minimum.
New full-resolution digitization fees for materials from our Moving Image and Audio Collections are provided on a case-by-case basis. Digitization is arranged by the RIHS with an outside lab, with fees based on the length of the original film or audio. Outside lab fees can change at any time. RIHS staff will provide a quote for the associated lab fees and shipping costs upon request.
Ordering Reproductions
To request still images, please complete our Rights & Reproductions Application Form and email the completed form or any related questions to reproductions@rihs.org. You will receive a quote within 7 business days.
To request material from the Moving Images & Audio Collection, please contact us at miac@rihs.org.
Please note that rush service is not available at this time. Payment must be made in full before images are provided. Payment can be made via check or credit card.
Licensing & Image Use
Licensing of Moving Image & Audio Collections
For material for which the RIHS holds the copyright, fees include:
Commercial use: $900 for the first 15 seconds of digital films and audio for all media, worldwide in perpetuity and $60 per additional second of digital film and audio for all media, worldwide in perpetuity.
Non-profit use: $450 for the first 15 seconds of digital films and audio for all media, worldwide in perpetuity and $30 per additional second of digital film and audio for all media, worldwide in perpetuity.
Your Copyright Responsibilities
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
If you have concerns or questions about copyright, please review the summary compiled by the Cornell University Copyright Information Center.