Service of Architectural Drawings

Warning: Service of these materials may take time; be selective.

P&P's architectural drawings are in a variety of conditions and housings. Most drawings need labor-intensive handling and rehousing, and it may take up to ten working days to prepare items for service. Patrons are urged to read carefully finding aid descriptions identifying individual drawings and request only those drawings which are crucial for their research. (The more drawings requested, the longer the wait!)

Once you have completed your call slips, wait until the Reading Room staff is able to tell you whether the drawings will be served that day or if it will be necessary to set up an appointment for future service. If the drawings cannot be served while you wait, staff will work with you to arrange a mutually convenient time to serve and view them.

Once Material is Served:

Please plan to take notes regarding the material (e.g., dimensions, captions, photoreproduction numbers) when you are viewing it, so that the material does not have to be pulled again. Use of a simple hand-held camera without flash to record specific drawings is also useful for later reference.

Photoreproduction services:

Photographic copies (8x10" and larger black & white prints, and 2x2" or 4x5" color transparencies) of P&P's architectural drawings are available through the Library of Congress Photoduplication Service. The quality of the copy will vary depending on the quality of the original. Full size diazo-process copies are not available. In most cases, a $20 surcharge for the handling of fragile items will be added to the cost of photoduplication.

Prepared by: Prints and Photographs Division, last revised November 1999