The Harry Ransom Center continues to monitor the local and global developments related to COVID-19, as well as changes in university guidelines. The University of Texas at Austin will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, 2020. Ransom Center research services will not be offered during that time.
The Center remains dedicated to its core research and teaching mission, and while the Reading and Viewing Room and galleries are closed temporarily to students, faculty, researchers, the general public, and staff, we are pleased to be able to provide modified research and reference services while working remotely.
Without access to collections, many reference and research queries, duplication orders, and other public services are necessarily on hold. However, librarians, curators, and research and instructional support staff continue to be available to provide consultations via email, phone, or Zoom.
Research Contacts
Staff may assist with identifying and accessing online resources, and enabling provision and support in use of digital materials when available, for ongoing teaching and research. Below are some helpful email contacts.
General Questions
Instructional Services
Art Collection
Early (pre-1700) Books and Manuscripts Collection
Film Collection
Photography Collection
Theatre and Performing Arts Collection
Please note that in cases where we cannot answer queries without access to original materials, your query will enter a queue to be reviewed when staff return.
Digitization Services, Permissions, and Use Fees
Onsite digitization services are not currently operational. However, Center staff are able to provide access to most digital surrogates, where they already exist. You may submit duplication orders but please note that no new scans will be processed until staff return. If there are existing digital files these may be made available to you after you have created an online Research Account and agreed to the Ransom Center’s policies—if you already have an account, no need to create a new one.
Requests for authorization to use Ransom Center materials and permission to use Ransom Center copyrighted materials are still being processed. See Rights and Reproductions for more information.
Starting April 1, 2020, all Harry Ransom Center fees are waived until further notice for research, academic, and noncommercial purposes, for any orders we can fulfill during this period of closure. These include: Harry Ransom Center Reproduction and service fees; Harry Ransom Center Publication and use fees; Harry Ransom Center Copyright fees.
Please note that in keeping with our Materials use policy on Reproductions, we may choose to deny, delay, or limit reproduction requests, if fulfillment encroaches on effective and equitable service to other users. Order limits continue in effect, as outlined in our policy on Reproduction, publication and use fees.
Copyright Holders Other than the Ransom Center
In many cases, the Ransom Center does not hold the copyright of materials accessed by researchers. Copyright holders may continue to assess reproduction and use fees. Researchers receiving reproductions of collection material accept full responsibility for any infringement of copyright and should seek legal counsel if they have questions about copyright liability. (Read more)
Thank you!
We appreciate your understanding during this extraordinary time. Please contact us if you have questions.