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Libraries & Cultural Resources

Research Guides

Air Photo Search Guide

Step 4:  Request the photos you need, or access them online


Requesting Photos

If you are a UCalgary user: Select "Request item" using the Air Photo Search Tool to order the air photo set you wish to look at in person. This will take you to our library catalogue where you can order the item as you would any other library material. Air photo sets are stored in boxes labelled with the same call number as the flight line maps (e.g. 82 P 40 1950). Some sets have multiple boxes and you will have the option to select the box you need. When you are requesting air photos from the library catalogue make sure you request the box with the roll you need by consulting the flight line index to see the roll numbers. Calgary and area air photos are kept at SANDS in the TFDL available by appointment; all others are held off-site, retrievable within a few days. Once the photos are ready for viewing, you will receive an email with information on how to make an appointment with the SANDS team to view the photos.

If you are not a UCalgary user (not a current student, faculty, or staff member): Request to see air photos by emailing maps@ucalgary.libanswers.com with the following information:

  • Photo set call number(s)

  • Roll numbers and/or flight line numbers

  • Range of photo numbers you need

The SANDS staff will need this information to request the photos on your behalf. This information should be available on the air photo indexes (described in step 3). When the photos are ready they will reach out to book an appointment.

Please note that UCalgary users are the main priority for the SANDS team and therefore requests from those outside of UCalgary may take longer to get to. A Digitization on Demand fee may also be applied for non-UCalgary users who cannot come in to view the photos, to help with cost recovery for our small team.

Viewing Digitized Air Photos Online

If "Access Digital Air Photos (via catalogue)" is displayed on the Air Photo Search Tool pop-up, this indicates that some of the air photos from this set have been digitized and uploaded to our Alberta Air Photos Collection, part of UCalgary Digital Collections. Click on the link and use the Roll / Line Number and Photo Number you identified using the Flight Line Index to locate the image(s).

Selecting "Discover Digitized Air Photos (via WebApp)" will open another tool, The Air Photo Digital Collection app which can be used to locate and download digitized air photos from this set. Photo centres are plotted on the map.



 

 

Libraries & Cultural Resources