Remote copying service

We supply low-resolution, research-quality scanned copies of complete items in our Library and Archive collections.

We can supply a maximum of 100 scans per customer per month. The current wait time for scans is 3-4 weeks.

The scans are dispatched as a watermarked PDF file using an online storage software.

If you cannot find the item you're looking for in our online collection, you can email our remote enquiries service for assistance: library@rmg.co.uk. Staff will carry out a maximum of 15 minutes' research at no charge.

It is not normally possible for the staff processing your order to search for specific information (for example, a name in a volume) within items.

Staff cannot undertake any image editing, for example, cropping or contrast adjustment.

If you have an urgent request, or need more extensive assistance, you may wish to employ an independent researcher to work on your behalf.

We offer low-resolution, research-quality digital images of the following:

• Rare printed books, pamphlets, journals, periodicals (pre-1850)
• Manuscript collection items, including Master’s Certificates, Crew Agreements and Lloyd’s Survey Reports
• Frequently used reference material – e.g. Lloyd’s Register, Lloyd’s List, Navy List, Merchant Navy List, Illustrated London News, Naval Chronicle
• Charts and maps (no larger than 40 x 80 cm or 15 ½ x 31 ½ inches)
• Multiple fold-out plates from books

We are unable to offer images of any item bigger than 40 x 80 cm (15 ½ x 31 ½ inches), when fully opened, if a bound volume, as it will not fit on the scanner bed. This type of item will need to be professionally photographed, so please contact our Image Sales team to discuss your order.

Commercial use and other requests

Scanned copies are supplied for private, non-commercial research only. Agreeing to pay for these low resolution scans also indicates they will not be shared online or uploaded to the web.

Please contact our Image Sales team if you require copies for any other purpose, for example, print publications, websites, social media, broadcast or display. This includes academic purposes and not-for-profit use. Orders from the Prints and Drawings collections are also processed through our Image Sales team.

Image sales, licensing, high-resolution scans and prints
 

Please note that this service is not offered on demand, including on the day of a visit to the Caird Library and Archive.

You will receive a quote for the cost of the scans within ten days of placing your order. After receiving your agreement to the quote, we will send an invoice via PayPal. We aim to dispatch your scans within 3-4 weeks of receiving your cleared payment. Payment via PayPal is preferred.

Large scanning orders may take longer to process, and we will notify you if this is the case. 

Please note that during busy periods or if we have received a large number of requests, we may be unable to process your order and request that you reapply at a later date.

We charge £10 for the first image of each item and £1 for each subsequent image from the same item. We will count the images required and send you a quote for the total amount.

Each item ordered will be processed and charged as a separate transaction. For example, STN/7 and STN/7/6 are two separate transactions.

To order digital scans, first create an account on the Library request system, Aeon:

Register for an Aeon account

Search for items in Collections Online and use the 'order' or 'request this item' buttons, which take you to the Aeon order form.

Although the 'Digital scan' button is disabled, the scanning service is still available. 

If you would like to add the order to 'Keep For My Review', the staff will be able to see this and reply to your request. It would be very helpful if you add a note in the Journal Notes field to indicate this is a scanning request. 

If you encounter any issues with the order/request buttons, Aeon, or need any further assistance, please email the library team: library@rmg.co.uk. It would be helpful to provide the reference number of the item(s).

Crew list scan requests are manually processed by staff. To help us, please provide: the name of the ship, the year of the voyage and the official number. To find this information, please refer to our Merchant Navy Research Guide. 

The Crew List Index Project is a quick online reference where you can find more details about crew lists.  

Please note: the 1861, 1862, 1865 and 1875 crew lists in the archive catalogue are listings of each separate crew list in one box. Therefore, clicking the 'Request this item' button will order the entire box of different ships. If you require one crew list for a specific ship or voyage, please contact staff: library@rmg.co.uk.

Admiralty collection

When a result is found on the National Archives website for an Admiralty volume held in our collection, please look for the 'Former reference in its original department' section to find our reference.

However, the reference number is incomplete - it should include forward slashes instead of spaces.

Example National Archives Admiralty entry, ADM 354/124/12:

• 'Former reference in its original department': ADM B 124
• Translates to our reference: ADM/B/124

Please note: the '12' in the National Archives reference denotes a foliated page, which is not found in our Archive catalogue records. To process your order, we require the description and date of the record, preferably with a link to the National Archives page where you found the item.

Navy Board Unbound Out-letters

These can be found in the National Archives under ADM 359. The 'Former reference' should have a forward slash instead of a space.

Example National Archives Navy Board Unbound Out-letters entry, ADM 354/124/12:

• 'Former reference in its original department': ADM BP/32B
• Translates to our reference: ADM/BP/32B

For further assistance, please email library@rmg.co.uk.