Using the Collections

General Research Information

The Center of Southwest Studies provides access to its collections for research, publication, and educational use. While we make every effort to accommodate research and reproduction requests, access may be limited in certain cases.

The Center reserves the right to:

Limit or decline reproduction requests due to preservation concerns
Restrict access to fragile, rare, or copyrighted materials
Deny requests that conflict with the Center’s policies or mission

Additional limitations or requests may apply based on the physical condition or accessibility of an object, cultural considerations, construction activity, or staff and time constraints.

Planning your Visit

Researchers who would like access to archival materials or museum objects must contact the Center at least two weeks in advance to allow time for item retrieval and preparation. Questions? Please contact archives@fortlewis.edu.

Research Facilities and Guidelines

The Robert Delaney Southwest Special Collections Library offers four public computers for research use. Patrons affiliated with Fort Lewis College may print using their SkyCards.
To help protect the collections:
- Food and drinks are not permitted in research or exhibition areas
- Notes must be taken using a computer or pencil only

Research Services

The Center of Southwest Studies offers research assistance to support scholarly, educational, and public inquiries. All research requests must be made using the Center's Research and Reproduction Request Form.

Research services are subject to the following fees. Staff will provide an estimate of the cost before beginning research.

On-site research (self-service; by appointment)	Free
Research assistance (up to 30 minutes staff time)	Free
Research assistance (beyond 30 minutes; per half hour)	$25
Rush service (see turnaround time below)	2 x standard rate

Digital Reproductions and Use Fees

The Center of Southwest Studies seeks to make its collections as widely accessible as possible while ensuring responsible use and long-term preservation. The following document outlines the terms and conditions for the purchase and use of digital reproductions from the Center’s collections:

Conditions Governing the Purchase and Use of Digital Collections

All reproduction and use requests must be made using the Center's Research and Reproduction Request Form. Please contact the Archives Manager at archives@fortlewis.edu or 970-247-7126 with any special requests or questions.

New Digitization / Reproductions

Digital reproduction or photocopy, letter/legal (per page)	$1
Digital reproduction or photocopy, ledger (per page)	$2
Digital image of museum object (contact museum@fortlewis.edu)	$75
Reproduction of oversized or fragile item; custom dimensions/resolution	$100
Video digitization (per hour of content)	$75

Existing Digital Files

PDF of existing digital document (per file)	$3
TIFF of existing digital image/photograph (per file)	$25

Use Fees

Reproduction fees cover the creation of copies; use fees cover the rights to publish or distribute. Use fees are assessed per image, unless otherwise noted.

Books, brochures, guides, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, journals

One-time use in print and electronic editions, non-exclusive, worldwide, and all languages.

0-5,000	$50
5,001 and up	$500

Audio-visual distribution (motion picture, television, documentary)

Non-commercial, non-broadcast use	$50
Film/television - Non-commercial broadcast (e.g. PBS)	$200
Film/television - Commercial use	$500

Public display and exhibition

Public Display and Exhibits

$50

Other distribution

Commercial website or social media	$75
Nonprofit/educational website	$25
Merchandise (postcards, calendars, apparel, etc.) - Cost dependent on run size	varied
Print advertising/promotional use	$250

Discounts

50% use fee discount for:

Nonprofit organizations reproducing images from the collection for non-commercial use (e.g., scholarly journals, teaching tools, reports, or exhibition display).
Customers ordering more than 10 images at a time.

Additional fee waivers considered on a case-by-case basis for student projects, community partners, or Tribal use.

Required Credit Line

Each use of CSWS materials must include the following credit: "Courtesy of Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College [Collection Name, Item Number]."

Creators, photographers, or donors must also be credited when known.

Payment and Delivery

Accepted Forms of Payment: The Center accepts credit card payments through the Center of Southwest Studies Marketplace or checks payable to "Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College." Full payment must be received before delivery.

Standard Turnaround Time:

Non-rush orders will be fulfilled within 8–10 business days after payment.
Rush orders are fulfilled within 2–4 business days after payment and will be charged double the normal fulfillment fee. Staff reserve the right to deny rush orders based on current capacity.

Shipping

Digital delivery via email/download link	No charge
File transfer to user-provided drive	No charge
User-provided Physical media (USB or external hard drive)	$10
CSWS-provided external drive (cost varies by capacity)	Market Rate + $15