Ordering Copies of Recordings from Archive of Folk Culture Collections

It is usually possible to order copies of unpublished field recordings from Archive of Folk Culture Collections. In most cases, permissions are not required if you are ordering copies of recordings for private or research purposes, unless the performer was a commercial artist during his or her lifetime. If the recordings are to be used for profit or non-profit publication, (i.e. film, radio or television broadcast, CD, or CD ROM), then you will have to obtain written permission or document your good-faith attempts to do so.

The Library retains no rights regarding the use of recordings in its collections; all such performance rights remain with the performers or their estates. Upon your request, Archive reference staff will consult our files to see whether we have records of previous attempts to contact those performers or estates. We recommend that you send a certified, return-receipt-requested letter to the address that you find or which we supply. Should the letter be returned to you unopened, please forward it (still unopened) to us as proof of your good-faith effort to contact the appropriate persons. Please keep track of all contact attempts that you make. That information kept in our files will constitute documentation of your efforts.

We advise individuals and companies who wish to publish Archive recordings to send us a letter indicating their intention to set aside an appropriate amount, comparable to fees paid to license other such recordings, to cover costs if an appropriate claimant steps forward later. Such a letter in our files will document the individual or company's good-faith attempt to honor performance rights.

After contacting the American Folklife Center Reference Committee to identify specific selections to be duplicated, audio requestors will be referred to the Public Services Office of the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division. The Public Services Office serves as the business arm of the M/B/RS Magnetic Recording Laboratory, and, in addition to other outreach services, operates a fee-for-service operation for the duplication of audio and moving image materials.

ORDERING PROCEDURE

If you would like to obtain audio copies of material from the Archive of Folk Culture Collections, follow these steps:

Phonocopies are made only when the prepaid fee, signed order form, and permissions document(s) (if applicable) are received. The turn-around time for Standard Service is typically 4 to 6 weeks. Rush Service guarantees that your order will be completed within 7 working days. The turn-around time for either service begins when payment has been received.

Shipping costs must be paid by the customer. (If you have a Fedex, DHL, UPS, or other courier account, you may include your account number on the Order Form and waive the shipping charge noted in the cost estimate.)

If you have any questions specifically regarding costs and ordering procedures, please contact the Public Services Office at Tel:(202)707-5623 or Fax:(202)707-2371.

AUDIO TRANSFER RATES

Effective October 19, 1999

All audio copies are made in the Library's Recording Laboratory. Hourly rates are as follows. Note that for all orders except CD-R duplications, stock charges are additional.

STOCK CHARGES

Ordinarily, ten 78rpm sides or one LP can be copied in an hour. Special recording services are arranged through the Public Services Office.