Reproductions
You can copy or photograph documents from the General Collection of the National Library (NL) yourself, subject to certain conditions, order high-quality analogue or digital reproductions or obtain a complete reproduction of a document that is not protected by copyright from our eBooks on Demand service.
Reproductions by users
You can make your own copies of documents at the NL, provided they are not at risk of damage, subject to the limits of copyright protection and strictly for personal use only.
It is also possible to use your own personal camera, but flash photography is not allowed.
You can make your own copy of an entire newspaper using the machines provided by the NL, provided it is out of copyright. If a newspaper is protected by copyright, only extracts from the required editions may be copied. You have two options: make your own copies of Swiss daily newspapers stored on microfilm or order copies from the NL’s Photography and Reprography service.
Different regulations apply to documents from the Prints and Drawings Department (PDD) and the Swiss Literary Archives (SLA); the responsible staff will be happy to provide you with information.
Prints and Drawings Department (PDD)
Reproductions by the NL
Analogue and digital copies low resolution (high resolution, see below)
Options and conditions
- It is possible to order a reproduction of part of a page
- Delivery of digital copies: Files smaller than 2 MB are e-mailed to you in JPEG format. Files larger than 2 MB are saved to an FTP server, and you receive an e-mail containing the download link as soon as they are ready (administrative charge of CHF 10 or payment at the circulation desk).
- Delivery of analogue copies: You can either collect your copies from the circulation desk or request delivery by post (administrative charge of CHF 10).
- Copies ordered but not collected from the circulation desk within 14 days are sent by post (with an
administrative charge of CHF 10). - To request copies of documents kept in the Swiss Literary Archives (SLA), please contact arch.lit@nb.admin.ch before placing your order.
- Delivery:
- Up to 15 copies: from noon the next day (except Saturdays)
- 16 to 40 copies: within 4 working days
- More than 40 copies: according offer
- Express order within 24 hours (extra charge of 50%)
- The above times do not include delivery by post.
Delivery conditions during the relocation of the Swiss National Library to the Titanic
Reproduction order until 23 October 2026
Processing times (from the completion of the contract: provision of the original, clarification of the legal situation etc.).
Reproductions (low resolution): up to 15 reproductions: available from 12 noon on the following working day (excluding Saturdays); 16-40 reproductions: within 4 working days, more than 40 reproductions: quotation upon request (+41 58 463 56 29).
Reproduction order from 24 October 2026 to 31 January 2027
Order processing will only resume in December 2026. Fixed delivery deadlines cannot be guaranteed. Orders will be processed subject to available resources.
Reproduction order from 1 February 2027
Processing times apply once the order has been clarified. This includes:
- Provision of the originals (up to 3 working days for all collections)
- Clarification of the legal situation
- Assessment of technical feasibility
Reproductions (low resolution): up to 15 reproductions available from 12 noon on the following working day (excluding Saturdays); 16-40 reproductions: within 4 working days, more than 40 reproductions: quotation upon request (+41 58 463 56 29).
Costs
Digital copies
Copies on paper
Order form
Please complete the form. Do not forget to tick the box confirming that you accept the terms of use and delivery.
Analogue and digital reproductions/photographs high resolution (low resolution, see above)
Options and general conditions
- It is possible to order a reproduction of part of a page
- Delivery of digital copies: Files are saved to an FTP server, and you receive an e-mail containing the download link as soon as they are ready (administrative charge of CHF 10 or payment at the circulation desk).
- Delivery of analogue copies: You can either collect your copies from the circulation desk or request delivery by post (administrative charge of CHF 10).
- Copies ordered but not collected from the circulation desk within 14 days are sent by post (administrative charge of CHF 10).
- To request copies of documents kept in the Swiss Literary Archives (SLA), please contact arch.lit@nb.admin.ch before placing your order.
- Delivery:
- Up to 5 copies: within 4 working days
- 6 to 15 copies: within 10 working days
- More than 15 copies: according offer
- Express order within 24 hours (extra charge of 50%)
- The above times do not include delivery by post.
Delivery conditions during the relocation of the Swiss National Library to the Titanic
Reproduction order until 23 October 2026
Processing times (from the completion of the contract: provision of the original, clarification of the legal situation etc.).
Reproductions (high resolution): up to 5 reproductions: within 4 working days; 6-15 reproductions: within 10 working days; more than 15 reproductions: quotation upon request (+41 58 464 03 09).
Reproduction order from 24 October 2026 to 31 January 2027
Order processing will only resume in December 2026. Fixed delivery deadlines cannot be guaranteed. Orders will be processed subject to available resources.
Reproduction order from 1 February 2027
Processing times apply once the order has been clarified. This includes:
- Provision of the originals (up to 3 working days for all collections)
- Clarification of the legal situation
- Assessment of technical feasibility
Reproductions (high resolution): up to 5 reproductions: within 4 working days; 6-15 reproductions: within 10 working days; more than 15 reproductions: quotation upon request (+41 58 464 03 09).
Costs
Digital reproductions
Analogue reproductions
Order form
Please complete the form. Do not forget to tick the box confirming that you accept the terms of use and delivery.
Reproduction of a complete book – eBooks on Demand
Options and access
Entire documents may only be reproduced if they are out of copyright, i.e. published up to 1910. If this condition is met, the reproduction can be ordered via eBooks on Demand (digital file / paper copy by demand). Exceptions can occur in justified cases.
Ordering from the Helveticat catalogue
You can order an eBook directly from Helveticat, the NL’s online catalogue. Books may be digitised, provided
- they are held at the NL and in a condition that allows them to be digitised,
- the link "Order a digital copy" appears on the ordering screen,
- and they are out of copyright.
Blank EOD form
The link is generated automatically and may not appear for some titles that are out of copyright. We provide a blank EOD form to help you order such titles. Only orders for works that are out of copyright can be fulfilled.
Costs
eBooks on Demand (EoD)
- CHF 10.00, plus 0.20/page
Print on Demand (PoD)
- CHF 9.00, plus 0.03/page
You can pay by credit card or using another online payment system, or opt to receive an invoice. Your e-book is delivered either online or by post on a physical data medium.
Further information about eBooks on Demand
The EOD website provides further information about the service and instructions on how to order eBooks.
A brief tutorial video takes you through the ordering process step by step.
Index
Swiss National Library
Monbijoustrasse 74
Switzerland - 3003 Bern