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Research & Remote Services

If you can’t make it in for a visit to the H. Furlong Baldwin Library or are simply seeking further research assistance, read on below about our remote services. For research and publication, you will also find our suggested citation guidelines.

Photocopying Services

For remote photocopying requests, fill out our photocopy request form here. Send questions about photocopying to specialcollections@mdhistory.org.

Please be aware that entire collections cannot be photocopied. In addition, typically only stable unbound documents no larger than 11″ x 17″ can be copied. Library staff reserve the right to deny photocopying requests if merited by the condition of materials.

Notice Regarding Copyright: 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 a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would violate copyright law.

Fees

Fees are payable in advance. We accept checks, made payable to the Maryland Center for History and Culture, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover). The service charges listed below include shipping charges for requests of up to 100 copies shipped to a U.S. address; additional shipping charges may apply for orders exceeding 100 copies or for shipment to non-U.S. addresses.

Copies from non-rare books, journals, and other items from the Main Reading Room:

$10 service charge, plus 25 cents per page

Copies from microfilm or microfiche:

$10 service charge, plus 50 cents per page. For copies of microfilm requiring research by the library staff, there is an additional research fee. Please visit the Staff Research Services section above for pricing and more information.

Copies from manuscripts or other material from Special Collections:

1-20 copies, $20 service charge and no additional fees.

21-50 copies, $20 service charge, plus 50 cents per page for any copies after the first 20 pages.

More than 50 copies, $35 (the fee for the first 50 copies), plus $1.00 per page for any copies after the first 50 pages. Additional shipping charges may apply.

Staff Research Services

Library staff are available to answer questions about collections or point you to relevant resources. We are also able to do a moderate amount of research into Maryland genealogy and history topics.

hourly research

Dependent on staff availability and research extent, library staff may be hired at an hourly rate. To ensure feasibility, all research requests must be discussed with library staff. For extensive genealogical searches, the research services available through the Maryland Genealogical Society are recommended.

To discuss research inquiries, contact library staff at 410-685-3750, ext. 359, or specialcollections@mdhistory.org.

Fees

$40/hour for Maryland Center for History and Culture members
$50/hour for non-members

The minimum time is one hour, to be prepaid. If our staff is unable to finish the research in the time allotted, you will be informed of where the research stands and asked if you wish to pay for further research. Please be aware that research is not always successful, despite diligent efforts. No refunds will be made.

Fees are payable in advance. We accept checks, payable to the Maryland Center for History and Culture, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover).

Citation Forms

View our citation forms PDF for our recommended guidelines for citing materials found in the library collections at MCHC. While publishers, instructors, and others may prescribe their own styles, at a minimum we ask researchers to provide the pertinent identification (collection name, number, and repository name) that will help researchers find cited material.

Interlibrary Loan of Microfilm

Requests for interlibrary loans of H. Furlong Baldwin Library microfilm may be submitted by other libraries on behalf of their patrons. The H. Furlong Baldwin Library does not provide interlibrary loans directly to individuals.

Fees

The charge for microfilm lending is $10 for up to two reels of microfilm. Payment must be made in advance and accompanied by an interlibrary loan form from the patron’s public or academic library. The request form should be sent to:

Interlibrary Loan/H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21201