Scanning Service

You can request a PDF scan of any print journal article or book chapter we have in the print collections. All you need to do is search our online catalog. You'll see "Request a PDF Scan" buttons on available items. (example) Please note that some items are unable to be scanned due to format, damage, or availability.

For more information, check out our scanning policy below.

• Scanning is available for print materials such as books and print periodicals.  
• Please allow 5 business days for your scanning request to be processed.
• Patrons are limited to 10 scanning requests per person per week.
• Due to copyright limitations, scanning is limited to one article per person per print periodical, or one chapter of a printed book. If you require a more extensive selection from a book please email libref@pratt.edu and we will attempt to find other options.
• In rare cases, exceptions to scanning limitations can be made for faculty-requested course reserves. More information can be found on our Course Reserve Guidelines.
• If an item is unavailable for scanning, staff will contact you to explain other options.

For any questions about library services feel free to email libref@pratt.edu.

Copying, displaying and distributing copyrighted works, may infringe upon the owner’s copyright.  Any duplication of copyrighted works which infringes upon the rights of the copyright holder is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as those civil remedies and criminal penalties provided by federal law.

Title 17, United States Code - COPYRIGHTS

Sec. 107. Limitations on Exclusive Rights:  Fair use notwithstanding, the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phono records or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.  In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:

• the purpose and character of the use; including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
• the nature of the copyrighted work;
• the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole;
• the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors. (Pub. L., 94-553, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L., 101-650, title VI, Sec. 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L, 102-492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)

Digitization of materials through either Request a PDF or Interlibrary Loan is limited due to U.S. Copyright law. Library policies regarding digitization are informed by the four factors of the fair use exemption. The third factor is "the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole." The standard libraries follow to maintain compliance is a limit of one chapter or 10% of a book.