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Use the Right Library of Congress Number When Requesting a Photo

By ImgHeal · Updated

A photograph's catalog record can contain several identifiers that serve different purposes. Preserve their labels when requesting a copy. A number copied without its field name can lead to confusion between the physical item, a reproduction, and a particular digital file.

Explore this topic: Research photo evidence

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Copy the full item record first

Save the stable item link, title, collection, and every relevant identifier with its original label. Inspect the record's notes about the source of the digital image. A digital file made from a copy negative may not represent the same physical object as a scan of an original print. Do not assume that the largest displayed file is a newly made original scan. Keeping the full record lets a librarian understand which version you have already seen and what improvement you need.

Describe the research need with the identifiers

When asking about a reproduction, supply the available reproduction number, call number, or digital ID as the Library's guidance requests. Explain whether you need the full border, an inscription, the reverse, or a clearer reproduction of a particular detail. Avoid requesting an unspecified high-quality version of a familiar title. Several objects or editions may share that title. Ask about available copies and conditions rather than assuming that a new scan or access to the original is always possible.

Keep the received copy tied to the right source

Record the file supplied, its associated identifiers, and any explanation about the source object. Compare its crop and visible content with your existing copy. A different reproduction can reveal useful information without proving that one version is historically more authentic. Preserve the unedited download and cite the item as well as the digital file where appropriate. If you restore a viewing copy, keep its filename separate from the Library's identifiers so the edited image cannot be mistaken for a repository-supplied reproduction.

Keep the evidence trail usable

  • Preserve identifier labels, not just numbers.
  • Explain the detail missing from your current copy.
  • Record which physical or reproduction source was supplied.

Sources and further reading

Questions about this restoration task

Is a reproduction number the same as a call number?

No. Keep the labels supplied by the catalog and provide the relevant identifiers together when enquiring about a copy.

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