Media Duplication Services
Learn how to access and purchase audio/video/film materials from the Gale Family Library.
I want to:
- Request an "access copy" for one-time viewing or listening
- See costs for duplication, delivery, and use
- Purchase a copy for my personal, research, or pre-production use (Temporarily Unavailable)
- Purchase a copy for production or public use (Temporarily Unavailable)
Note: Most distance copy and research services are currently paused as we adjust our daily operations. We expect to reintroduce these types of services throughout the Autumn and Winter.
Requesting an “access copy” for viewing/listening
Researchers can currently listen to and watch DVDs, VHS, cassette, CD, and digital audio formats at the Gale Family Library or through a virtual viewing session. In an effort to minimize damage and preserve the materials in our collection, researchers may only use "access copies" and not the original items.
If an access copy does not already exist, researchers can request one:
- Send an email to copyservices@mnhs.org with the subject line “Access Copy Media Request” with the following information:
- Your name
- Your phone number
- Title of item
- Author or collection
- Location/box or call number
- Any other information that will help identify the item
- Library staff will create a use copy
- Access copies will be created within 6 weeks, as staff time permits.
- There is no cost for an individual access copy, and it will remain the property of the Gale Family Library.
- If you need more than 5 access copies created, please let us know. Depending on the size and timing of larger requests, a fee may apply.
- We will contact you when the access copy is available to view
- Access copies can be viewed at the Library whenever we are open. In order to ensure that the copy will be waiting for you when you arrive, please make an appointment after we contact you to confirm that the copy is complete.
- Virtual/online viewings may be possible by appointment. Visit our Virtual Viewing page for more information and to request a session.
Costs
Media duplication costs will include one or both of the following:
- Copying fee
- This is the cost for the actual copying/duplicating/digitizing of the audio or video item
- Cost per item, based on original format:
| Format type | Fee (per item) |
|---|---|
| Audio cassettes, CDs | $10 |
| VHS and other videocassette types | $20 |
| Film prints (16mm) | $40 |
- There is no copying fee for items that are already digitized (library staff will determine if item is already digitized)
- Delivery and handling fees
- $5 per file delivered electronically
- $10 per CD shipped via USPS
Cost examples
- A 16mm film sent as an watermarked MP4: $45 ($40 copying fee + $5 delivery fee)
- An audio cassette put onto CD, mailed via USPS: $20 ($10 copying fee + $10 delivery fee)
- An already-digitized oral history sent as an MP3: $5 delivery fee
Use fees
Use fees for film/video are charged per 30-second increments:
- $250 TV network (Minnesota nonprofits, Minnesota media)
- $250 TV public (worldwide)
- $125 TV public (Minnesota nonprofits, Minnesota media)
- $750 TV worldwide
- $150 educational (film festivals, schools, libraries)
- $1,000 commercial worldwide
- $500 commercial (Minnesota media)
- $750 worldwide web
- $1,250 all-markets media bundle
Contact library.permissions@mnhs.org for information about use fees for audio-only materials.