Microfilm



The library offers duplicate reels of existing microfilm and new microfilming of certain materials. To place a request, please fill out the Microfilm Order Form, which can be returned via mail, fax or in person. Orders can not be processed without a completed form.

The Library hold thousands of newspapers and magazines that have already been microfilmed. Duplicate reels are available for such diverse titles as Aufbau, Color, Daily Graphic, Daily News (NY), Film Index, Irish American, Jewish Sentiment, Menorah Journal, Moslem Sunrise, Motion Picture News, Negro World, New York Age, New York Amsterdam News, New York Clipper, N.Y. Dramatic Mirror, New York Evening Telegram, New York Illustrated News, New York Post, The Sun, and TV Guide, among many others. Duplicate reels of the New York City telephone directories, both white and yellow pages, for all boroughs as far back as the late 19th century are also available.

Microfilm Order Form with Permissions Policy Statement (pdf)            Fee Schedule



  • If you need new microfilming, upon approval from the holding division, Photographic Services will issue a cost estimate. Please note the Library will film complete bound volumes and not portions thereof. For microfilming of manuscript material, please contact the division where the material is held. The minimum charge is $80.00 plus shipping.

  • If you need paper copy from an existing public service copy microfilm, please contact NYPL Express.

  • Paper copies can be produced from public service copy microfilm only. If you need paper copy from a “master negative” microfilm (indicated in the catalog as *ZZ) and a public service copy reel is not available, a fee is charged to produce a new microfilm reel, which will remain the property of the Library.

  • Prepayment is required. Checks, money orders, credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard), and bank transfers (with an additional service charge of $50.00) are accepted. All sales are final.

  • Normal turnaround time is a minimum of eight weeks for all microfilm orders.

    • Fee Schedule

    Film Copy from existing microfilm

    Each reel

    $80.00

    New Filming
    Cost Estimate prepared upon request
    Processing charge, per title
    $20.00
    per frame (minimum of 100 frames)
      $0.60
    per frame special handling (minimum of 100 frames)
      $0.70
    additional charges may apply

    Paper Copy (from new microfilm only) Paper copy from existing microfilm should be ordered from NYPL Express .
    Filming cost plus
    Per Item (8 1/2" X 11"), up to 10 Pages
    $18.00
    Each additional page (8 1/2" X 11")
      $0.25
    Per Item (11" X 17")
    $15.00
    Each page (11" X 17")
      $0.50

    Mailing charges for microfilm
    United States: first 5 reels
      $6.00
    each additional 5 reels
      $3.00
    All foreign orders: each 5 reels
    $15.00

    Mailing charges for paper copy

    U.S.
    $5.00 minimum
    International
    $10.00 minimum