Library Services
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Borrowing Library Materials
Authorized Borrowers
The Rockefeller Library loans books and other items from the circulating collection to:
- Colonial Williamsburg staff
- Colonial Williamsburg affiliates, including volunteers, dependents, retirees, interns, and visiting researchers
- William & Mary faculty, staff, and students
Borrowing Time Periods
Books may be borrowed for 28 days. They can be renewed via your online account, or by reaching out to library staff via phone or email.
Audiovisual material (CDs, DVDs, VHS) may be borrowed for 7 days. They can be renewed via your online account, or by reaching out to library staff via phone or email.
Interlibrary loan
The library provides interlibrary loan services to Rockefeller Library account holders. To request a book from another library, please send an email including title, author, and other relevant information to [email protected].
On-site
Meeting and Study Spaces
Meeting rooms and individual carrels are available for use by Colonial Williamsburg staff. Please call the library at (757) 565-8510 or email [email protected] to reserve one of the following spaces.
- Conference Room BHL 225 (maximum capacity 16)
- Meeting Room BHL 213 (capacity 12)
Microfilm Readers
The library holds microfilm editions of primary texts and secondary sources, including copies of the York County Courthouse Records and the Virginia Colonial Records Project. Visitors may use the two analog and two digital readers to view microfilm on-site. Our user-friendly digital readers also allow visitors to make high-quality digital images of microfilm for further research off-site.
Scanners and Copiers
Self-service copiers and printers are available for use with the circulating and reference collections. Colonial Williamsburg staff may copy and print materials for work purposes at no charge. All other patrons pay 50 cents per page. Patrons are also welcome to use their own cameras to take study images of collection items.
Wi-Fi Access
Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the library on the MakeHistory@CW network.
Photo Reproduction and Licensing
Ordering Images for Publication or Personal Use
Reproduction of material in our collections is available for both personal and publication use. Reproductions are available in print or digital format only. Submit a request in person or by email, letter, phone, or fax.
Orders are normally processed within three weeks. However, reproductions required for internal foundation needs have priority over outside orders.
Use for publication
All material in the collection is copyrighted and requires a release for use in publications, exhibitions, websites, broadcasts, and films. Learn more about licensing and publication.
Personal use
Reproduction requests for personal and study use may be placed using the reproduction request form.
Click here to view the rates for photographic reproductions.
Licensing and Publication
Publish or Exhibit Images from our Collection
Images of some of the material in our collections may be licensed for publication. Please fill out an application for permission to publish or permission to exhibit.
The use of museum objects is subject to curatorial review and approval. Occasionally, new photography is temporarily restricted for first-time use by Colonial Williamsburg. In addition, any photography of visitors or personnel that has not been model-released is restricted to in-house use.
Click here to view the rates for licensing and publication.
Audio & Video Clip Licensing
Audio and video clips may be licensed for use in the classroom and in academic presentations, television programs, feature films, documentaries, exhibits, and on websites and podcasts if the proposed use is approved by the Manager of Media Collections.
Click here to learn more.
Research Assistance
The library staff provides expert research assistance to on-site and remote researchers. Please stop by the reference desk on the first floor for assistance, or email [email protected] to request a reference appointment with a staff member.
