1. How many images are at the American Heritage Center? The American Heritage Center has almost 1,000,000 photographs including original prints, glass plate negatives, and celluloid negatives. Photographs in the collection relate to the collecting areas of the American Heritage Center including Wyoming and the American West, the petroleum and mining industries, journalism, national and world affairs, environment and conservation history, transportation, the University of Wyoming, and 20th century American culture. Visit the AHC catalog for more information on its collections.

2. Does the American Heritage Center plan to put its images online? The AHC has made images available from the digital collections, exhibits, and photograph of the month sections of its Web site. A digitization project is also underway relating to Western Trails. The AHC will continue to scan new items but we do not plan to scan our entire collection. In some cases, items in our collection have been copyrighted and we currently do not have permission to make them available on our site. In other cases, items in the collection are highly repetitive and do not merit individual inclusion.

3. How does the American Heritage Center decide which images to digitize and catalog? The American Heritage Center weighs the following criteria when deciding which images to scan and catalog:

• Historic Significance
• Customer Demand
• Copyright/Public Domain status
• Preservation needs

4. What happens to original photographs after they are digitized? As part of the digitizing and cataloging process, all original items are placed in archival sleeves and storage boxes. After processing is complete, the original photographs are kept in closed storage for their protection and preservation.

5. Can customers come in to look at original photographs? Original photographs are available for viewing in the Owen Wister Western Writers Reading Room on the 4th floor of the American Heritage Center. Customers may request them during our regular business hours. A reference archivist will assist you in accessing the photographic collections. Images may be viewed in the reading room only.

6. How can I find out about what types of photographs you have? Please visit the AHC catalog for more information on cataloged collections with photographs. For those collections that have not been cataloged, access to the photographs is through our card catalog located in the reading room. Our reference staff can assist you with on- or off-site requests. The reference staff may be reached at ahcref@uwyo.edu or 307.766.3756. We are beginning a digitization project relating to Western Trails that will soon allow the public to view a selection of our photographic images online.

7. Can I purchase copies of photographs from your collection? You can purchase photographic reprints or high-resolution files of our images. See our Image Sales section for prices, how to order, and request forms. Prepayment is required on orders totaling more than $20.00. Payment may be made by check, money order, VISA, or Mastercard. When ordering a photographic reprint, please indicate if you would like a glossy or matte finish. Also indicate your preference to keep or remove any captions that appear on the original photograph. Borderless reprints are available. We can also crop a reprint or scan to your specifications.

8. Can I bring my scanner or camera to make copies of your photographs? Scanners may not be used in the reading room, but patrons may bring their own cameras to take pictures of collection material. Keep in mind that there is a per image fee for this option.

9. What is a sepia print? A sepia print is a black and white photographic print that has been toned to a warm brown cast.

10. What size digital file can I order? The American Heritage Center offers TIFF or JPEG files in the resolution and size you request. The digital files are put onto a CD, which can be picked up at the reference desk in the reading room or mailed to you. For pricing information, see our Duplicating Services Fees.

11. If I order a scan, will you digitally "clean up the image? The American Heritage Center will make a historically accurate copy of the photographs in our collection. Many of the items have tears, cracks, watermarks and other blemishes. We do not digitally alter any of the items.

12. How long does it take to have a photographic reprint or a scan made? We process orders in approximately 14 working days, depending on the number of orders in the queue. Rush orders of less than 10 days are possible for an extra fee of 50% of the cost of the order.

13. Can you E-mail an image to me? If the scanned image is 8 MB or less, the file can be E-mailed to you.

14. What kind of paper do you use for photographic reprints? Prints are made with Kodak resin-coated paper. Customers may choose a glossy or matte finish. To view our reprint sizes and prices, see our Image Sales for details.

15. Can I use an image for my school project, classroom, personal use? Yes, you are welcome to print out and download images from our website for your educational and personal use. High quality photographic re-prints and digital files from collections are also available for purchase. See our Image Sales for details. If you would like to include individual images from our Web site or collections in a publication, exhibit or on your own Web site, you will need to obtain permission from the American Heritage Center. See our Commercial Use Fees section for pricing information and our Copyright Information regarding use. Contact the reference department at ahcref@uwyo.edu or 307.766.3756 for assistance with image use.

16. May I use an image for a commercial use? Yes. For more information about commercial use and service fees, please see the Commercial Use Fees.

17. Can I use an image from your Web site on my own Web site? You are welcome to link to our Web site. If you want to use individual images from our Web site on your own site, you will need to obtain permission from the American Heritage Center. Commercial use of images is subject to commercial service fees. We do require that all images be credited to the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming. See our Commercial Use Fees section for pricing information and our Copyright Information regarding use. Contact the reference department at ahcref@uwyo.edu or 307.766.3756 for assistance with image use.