FAQ - Sourcery

General

Sourcery is an archival document delivery app developed by the University of Connecticut's Greenhouse Studios and maintained in collaboration with Digital Scholar, the same not-for-profit corporation behind familiar projects like Zotero, Omeka, and Tropy.

Who is Sourcery for?

Where is Sourcery available?

How much does Sourcery cost?

Who developed Sourcery?

How is Sourcery different from Interlibrary Loan or requesting materials directly from an institution?

Can institutions use Sourcery?

Yes, we invite all institutions to join Sourcery! We are currently developing Institutional accounts to enable institutions to review, manage, and elect whether or not to fulfill a request for materials in their holdings.

Institutional accounts will get the right of first refusal on requests for their materials, and they will be able to set their own price (or decide not to charge). Our anticipated launch is 2026.

If you’d like to help beta test an institutional account, please get in touch .

What about copyright?

Who can be a Sourcerer and fulfill jobs?

for researchers

What kinds of materials can I request through Sourcery?

Traditional flat archival materials are the best candidates for Sourcery scans, such as typed or handwritten papers, photographs, or ephemera.

At this time Sourcery does not offer scans of bound books, microfilm, or copies of audio or video files.

Reference-quality images of large-scale art objects are best requested from the holding institution. Likewise, any photos physical objects you wish to see from multiple angles should be requested from the holding institution or provided by a research assistant.

What kind of files will Sourcery send me?

Does Sourcery provide research assistance?

No, Sourcery is not a replacement for a good research assistant who is familiar with your work and able to evaluate materials while in the archives reading room. Sourcery simply retrieves and sends reference-quality, citeable scans of materials back to you. If you would like help with interpretation, transcription, or translation of the materials, or to do additional bibliographic or image processing work then you will need a research assistant.

Does Sourcery have a transcription function/ability?

How do I use the materials I get through Sourcery?

How do I make a request?

Once you have created a Sourcery account, it’s simple – all you need to do is click “Make a request.”

But here’s what you’ll need to know before you start the request process:

The precise location of your materials: your Sourcerer will need to request the box or volume from the archive! Use the repository’s catalog or finding aid to specify your needs. Note that archival collections and their finding aids can vary widely, though. Some have call numbers, others use record groups or identifiers. Some contain Series and Subseries; others don’t. Some may use envelopes instead of folders. A lucky few have itemized finding aids, while others only list the general contents of a box.
Any barriers to access: you will need to confirm that the materials are open to researchers and identify the process for access. For example, is communication with an archivist required before requesting an appointment? Is there a fee to access the reading room? Ensuring that your Sourcerer will be able to access the materials helps ensure a timely fulfillment.

How long will it take to get my scans?

What if I'm unhappy with the scans returned?

for sourcerers

What do I need to be a Sourcerer?

Sourcerers need to have a solid understanding of proper archival etiquette and best practices for handling archival materials. These skills are typically gained in advanced coursework in the humanities or information science. Check out our full list of responsibilities and required skills.

You'll also need a mobile device or digital camera capable of taking reference-quality scans and collating a single PDF.

Additionally, Sourcerers need to be eligible to work in the United States and receive a 1099 tax document.

How do I sign up to be a Sourcerer?

Signing up is easy! Simply create a Sourcery account, follow the tutorial, and then set up your payout account. While there is no formal application process right now, you will have to confirm you're able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities associated with being a Sourcerer.

Please note that Sourcerers who earn over $600 will receive a 1099 tax document, so international students should confirm their eligibility before signing up.

How do I find a job?

How do I scan the materials?

How do I get paid?

Sourcery uses the Stripe platform to manage payments and payouts – you will set up a payout account with Stripe when you create your account. Once you've completed a job you'll have to wait at least 2 business days for the Researcher and Sourcery admin to confirm your materials. Once that's completed a Sourcery admin will trigger your payout, which you can expect to hit your bank account within14 business days depending on your bank.