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Kiplinger Research Library

The DC History Center is now offering personal scanning appointments through the Kiplinger Research Library. The preservation of photos and personal papers plays a key role in helping communities connect to their past and view themselves as a part of history. These materials can be fragile and subject to the ravages of time, and so creating a digital backup is crucial.  
 
Personal scanning appointments are open to anyone who is interested in digitizing their personal documents and photographs. These scans will be yours to keep. Unless a patron requests that their items be evaluated for inclusion in our digital archive, the library will not retain any files past delivery.  

At the start of your two-hour scanning appointment, library staff will show you how to use the overhead and photo scanning equipment. After your appointment, you will receive a link from the library with your high-resolution images available for download. 

Please be advised that personal scanning equipment is available for paper documents and photographic prints only. The Kiplinger Research Library does not have the equipment necessary to digitize video or audio materials, or slides of any type.

Personal Scanning Appointment Hours and Safety Guidelines

Kiplinger Research Library Hours

By Appointment

 

Tuesdays 

10 AM - 12 PM

1 PM - 3 PM 

Thursdays

10 AM - 12 PM

1 PM - 3 PM 

Closed for lunch 12pm - 1pm

Transmissible Illness Safety Precautions

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as general health and safety guidelines, we continue to implement procedures aimed at keeping our staff and visitors safe.
At this time:  
  • Same-day appointments are not available
  • The use of face masks is optional but can be mandated by library staff
  • Please cancel or do not make an appointment if you or someone in your household:
    • Is experiencing COVID-19, influenza or common cold symptoms, or has tested positive for COVID-19 or flu
    • Has been recently exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or flu
    • Has been instructed to self-quarantine
  • Symptomatic researchers will be asked to leave 
 

Making a Personal Scanning Appointment

Scanning appointments must be requested at least one week prior to your desired date. 

To request a personal scanning appointment, email library@dchistory.org with the following information:

  • a brief description of the materials you plan to bring with you 

  • your availability or preferences for appointments

Reference staff will confirm the date and time of your appointment via email. 


If necessary, appointments may also be requested by calling the Kiplinger Research Library at (202) 991-2326.  While this line is not staffed, we do check messages regularly.

Personal Scanning Appointment Rules and Guidelines

  • Researchers using the portable scanners will handle the equipment with care and notify library staff if they need assistance. 

  • The scanners will be connected to a Kiplinger Library laptop that has access to the scanner software. 

  • For security reasons, users are not permitted to connect their own flash drives, hard drives, or any other external equipment to computers that are property of the DC History Center. 

  • Scanned files will automatically be saved to a desktop folder with your last name. Before you finish your appointment, navigate to this folder to confirm that all your files are there. 

  • Library staff will deliver scanned files to each researcher via an emailed WeTransfer link in 3-5 business days. This link will be good for 30 days and must be downloaded within that timeframe.  

  • All scanned files will be deleted from DC History Center devices after the files are delivered to the researcher, unless the researcher checks the box on this form stating that they are interested in donating copies of the scans to the DC History Center collections. 

  • If you need to switch between scanner types, or need assistance, please contact library staff. 

  • Some material may be copyrighted. It is the patron’s obligation to determine and satisfy copyright when publishing or otherwise distributing materials that are not their own.  

  • By signing the Scanner Agreement Form you acknowledge your agreement to comply with the rules and regulations stated herein.  

  • Food and drink are not allowed in the library.

Directions

The Kiplinger Research Library is located on the 2nd floor of the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square - 801 K Street NW.

  • The doors of the building open at 10am
  • For a wheelchair accessible entrance, use the basement doors on the south side of the building facing K Street NW. Elevators are located to the left of the Carnegie Gallery. 
  • You can also use the main doors on the north or south side of the building. A public elevator is located on the southwest side of the building and the main staircase is on the south side. 

There is no DC History Center dedicated parking. However, there is street parking and public pay lots available in the surrounding area. We are also metro-accessible via Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red / Yellow / Green lines) or Mt. Vernon Convention Center (Yellow / Green) and a number of bus lines including the Circulator.