Archives and local history fees and charges
2026/27 Changes to fees and charges
Like many organisations, we are experiencing rising operational costs. All funds we raise are put back into the local history and archive service that we provide. To help us preserve the collections in our care and maintain high-quality public access to local history resources, it has become necessary to adjust some of our charges. This is the first change in many of our fees for over 10 years and we have kept the increase as modest as possible. The new charges, effective from Wednesday 1st April 2026, are provided below. You can still scroll down to view our 2025/26 charges. Thank you for your continuing support of the unique collections in our care.
On-site charges
There is no charge to consult our Archive and Local History collections. If you would like to take copies of our documents during your visit you will need to complete a self-service photography form, which will be available from a member of staff. Charges will apply at the following rates:
- £1 per image for digital images taken using the book scanners, a digital camera, or using a USB from the microfilm readers.
OR
- You can purchase a permit for taking an unlimited number of images using the book scanners, a digital camera, or using a USB from the microfilm readers. These are valid for a specific time period, and are available at the following rates: £15 per day, £38 per week, or £80 per year.
Organisations conducting research, such as local history groups, can also apply for an institutional photography permit at £150 per year, giving them two annual passes which are transferable between group members.
Any images obtained using our self-service photography form can only be used for private use or personal study. If you wish to reproduce or publish these images in any way, you must seek permission from Explore York, and additional charges may apply. Please see information about permission to reproduce or publish images of documents and photographs in our collection below.
Printing from PCs or microfilm readers:
- A4 mono (black and white): 30 pence
- A3 mono (black and white): 70 pence
- A4 colour: 80 pence
- A3 colour: £1.50
If you can’t visit in person
If you can’t visit the Archive and Local History service in person, our staff can support you in a number of different ways:
Staffed copying service
Images taken using book scanners or microfilm readers: £7 per image plus £5 handling fee per order. Additional fees are payable if your copy order is a bulk order of more than 25 images/copies. Please contact archives@exploreyork.org.uk for a quotation.
Please note these images are supplied for private use or personal study only. If you wish to reproduce or publish these images in any way you must seek permission from Explore York, and additional charges may apply. Please see information about permission to reproduce or publish images of documents and photographs in our collection below.
Paid Research Service
We offer a free 15-minute ‘look-up’ service to confirm details in our records, where we are provided with detailed information. Otherwise, our Paid Research Service can help you locate the details you require, and is available using the following charges::
- Up to 30 minutes research by staff: £18
- Up to 60 minutes research by staff (max. 60 minutes): £36
Other services we offer
Archive workshops, tours, and talks
Occasionally we are able to offer archive training workshops, tours, and talks for groups and individuals, depending on the availability of our archivists. If this is of interest, please get in touch with our archive team with details of your request. Charges will apply, and current costs will be made available on request.
Certified copies of documents (e.g. vehicle registration enquiries)
£12 per certified copy, plus cost of copying image/s (see charges above). This includes 2nd class UK delivery within the UK where relevant. Orders are dispatched within 5 days of receipt of payment.
For orders outside the UK there is a £16 delivery charge.
Permission to reproduce or publish images of documents and photographs in our collections
If you would like to reproduce or publish a copy of a document which you obtained using self-service photography on-site or which you have purchased from us using our remote copying service, you must request permission from our archive team. Please contact them at archives@exploreyork.org.uk and include details of your request.
We will charge a reproduction fee for the publishing of images of items in our collections, and these charges will vary depending on whether you wish to use the images commercially or non-commercially. The following list of prices are quoted per image and include VAT where applicable.
Some charges have a limited duration and are subject to renewal – please contact us for more information.
Explore York Libraries and Archives is happy to grant permission for reproductions of documents in its care but this permission does not override the rights of copyright owners.
Non-commercial use (where no charge will be made to access, view or receive the publication)
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Private study and research or electronic presentation (including images for PhD theses and other coursework, or community group presentations) | Free |
| Books, magazines, journals; printed and electronic (any placement, and either educational or self-published) | £13 |
| Television / Broadcast / Film | £13 |
| Leaflet, poster, programme booklet, newsletter (printed and electronic) | £7 |
| Exhibitions/displays/banners – up to one year | £7 |
| Exhibitions/displays/banners (printed and electronic) – permanent | £13 |
| Website (including blogs) | £10 |
| Social media platforms | £2 |
| Apps | £13 |
Commercial: (where a charge is made to access, view or receive the publication, even if this charge does not cover the cost of production)
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books (electronic or printed) | £65 |
| Magazines, newspapers (electronic or printed) | £25 |
| Subscription or academic journal | £25 |
| Leaflet, poster, programme, booklet, newsletter (printed and electronic) | £20 |
| Television/Film/Broadcast – UK/Europe | £90 |
| Television/Film/Broadcast – Worldwide | £200 |
| Exhibitions/displays/banners (printed and electronic) – up to one year | £35 |
| Exhibitions/displays/banners (printed and electronic) – permanent | £150 |
| Website (includes blogs) | £40 |
| Social media platforms | £15 |
| Apps | £65 |
Filming
Commercial filming in archives Reading Room during office hours: £55 per hour or part thereof. This charge is in addition to the reproduction fees outlined above.
Merchandising licences
Variable charges apply. Please contact archives@exploreyork.org.uk for a quotation.