Public Domain Resources
Why This List?
Currently, many libraries and groups are making public-domain materials available via the Internet, in order to ensure their free availability and maximize use by the public. The aim of this list is to expand the palate of its readers’ imagination when brainstorming for source materials for their digital initiatives.
Why ‘Not’ This List?
This list is not meant to be construed as a silver bullet to completely avoiding copyright. While the original intent behind curating this list was to provide a helpful resource, we have not reviewed each, individual item made available by the sites below, and neither the Copyright Advisory Office, nor Columbia University make any warranty that the materials are, in fact, without legal protection. Although many of the materials referenced here may be copied and used without copyright limitations, other legal restrictions (such as privacy or right of publicity) may apply and users of these sites should should factor that into their reasoning before moving forward with any subsequent use.
The Copyright Advisory Office does not guarantee copyright clearance to any media found on or through these sites, and assumes that developers and users of the databases have properly addressed any remaining copyright issues. If these resources do not meet your needs we encourage you to also have a look at our Online Image Resources page.
Jump to:
- General Repositories
- Books & Textual Materials
- Fine Art & Film
- Made in the USA
- Medical & Scientific Information
- Music & Sound Recordings
- Software
- Video & Moving Images
Hathi Trust
Repository of collections of member libraries of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), the University of California system, and the University of Virginia.
Internet Archive
Archive of public domain material, such as moving images, music, audio and text, and the “Wayback Machine,” which can display past versions of websites.
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Bartleby.com
Collection of literature, reference and verse.
Eldritch Press
Contains public domain works with some electronic versions containing special features that are useful for teaching and research.
Google Books
Collection of books, magazines, and other written materials that have been scanned and made available online.
Ibiblio
Collection of library and digital material from the Center for the Public Domain and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill that seem to further the teaching, research, or public service mission of UNC.
The Internet Public Library
Created by the University of Michigan’s School of Information which offers over 20,000 online books, stories, essays, poems, articles, dramas, letters, and speeches.
The Online Books Page
Containing over 17,000 electronic texts from the University of Pennsylvania Library.
Open Content Alliance
Collaborative effort of organizations from around the world building a permanent archive of multilingual digitized text and multimedia material.
Project Gutenberg
The first and oldest collection of free, electronic books and music searchable by author, title, subject and language.
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BuyOut Footage
Public domain films and royalty free stock footage that can be bought on DVD/VHS.
OpenFlix
Directory of movies commonly thought to be in the public domain and works their owners are willing to let be distributed.
Public Domain Pictures
Contains an extensive list of sources to find image, clip art, icons and backgrounds.
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Alaska Volcano Observatory
A searchable database of images, including some maps, relating to Alaska’s volcanoes. Most images are free for use. Check each image for any constraints on use and instructions for citing the photographer.
American Memory
Repository created by the Library of Congress of written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music materials documenting the American experience.
DefenseLink Images
Public domain military photos from the Department of Defense. Keyword searchable and browseable by many topics including: holidays, competitions, weapons systems, humanitarian aid, specialized vehicles and more.
NASA Images
NASA Images was created through a partnership between NASA and the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library based in San Francisco, to bring public access to NASA’s image, video, and audio collections in a single, searchable resource. The site contains everything from classic photos to educational programming and HD video.
NOAA Photo Gallery
Over 10,000 photos, mostly nature and weather related. Public domain, but credit must be given to photographers. Collections may be searched or browsed. High resolution versions are available.
Prints & Photographs Online Catalog Selection of the Library of Congress
Many, but not all are in the public domain. May be searched or browsed. Rights restrictions noted in photograph record.
US Air Force Recordings
These recordings are approved by the Department of the Air Force for use in public service broadcasting, recruiting, educational activities, troop morale and retention." Songs are categorized by: Patriotic, Ceremonial, Marches, Popular & Show Songs, Rock / Pop / Country / R&B, Holiday, Choral, Classical, Jazz, Traditional / Celtic / Folk.
US Army Band
All information on this site is considered public information and may be distributed or copied freely except where otherwise noted.
US Fish & Wildlife Reserve Digital Library
Collection of various Alaska scenes and wildlife taken by federal Fish and Wildlife Service Photographers and which the agency states is public domain.
US Geological Survey Multimedia Gallery
These images provide a visual history of the discovery, development, and sciences of the United States and its Geological Survey. Some photographs have been used in USGS publications, but most have never been published. All photographs within this collection are public domain; therefore, signed releases, permissions, and payment for use or reproduction are not required. Credit to individual photographers is requested.
US Government Photos and Graphics
A directory of links to public domain images and graphics from a number of U.S. government agencies, including the photo galleries of the Library of Congress, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Park Service.
US Marine Band Web Exclusives
Mostly marches.
US Navy Band Sounds Online
Patrotic and holiday music. Some vocal music.
Videos from the US Government
Most of these videos are available for use in the public domain, and you may use and reproduce them without permission or fee. However, some videos may be protected by license.
White House Photos & Video
No explanation necessary.
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Medical & Scientific Information
Canadian Space Agency Image Gallery
Materials on this Web site were produced and/or compiled by the Canadian Space Agency for the purpose of providing Canadians with direct access to information about the programs and services offered by the Government of Canada. Information on this site has been posted with the intent that it be readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the Canadian Space Agency. Citation may be requested.
Medical Heritage Library
The Medical Heritage Library is a digital curation collaborative among some of the world’s leading medical libraries. The collection resides at the Internet Archive.
Weill Cornell Medical College Library
List of sites that can provide medical images, some of which are in the public domain.
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Public Domain Music
Part of the Public Domain Information Project and a reference site identifying public domain songs and public domain music.
Soundsnap
Royalty-free sound effects. Everything from Aliens to Zebras.
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Open Source Software
Non-profit corporation formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open-source community.
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Internet Archive Moving Images
Mix of old and new films. From the web site, "By providing near-unrestricted access to these films, we hope to encourage widespread use of moving images in new contexts by people who might not have used them before." Check individual videos for reuse rights.
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It goes without saying that this list is by no means exhaustive, but, as there are links to a few sites that offer professional services, we want to make it clear that their appearance on this list should not be construed as an endorsement on the part of this office or Columbia University.
Most Recent Revision: 02092012