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How to Find Images

This guide will help you find images that can be used for teaching, presentations, etc.

Welcome

Finding images that are not restricted by copyright can be tricky. Here are some resources and strategies to help you out.

Images and Videos

Many of the Library's ebook packages and other electronic resources have an image or multimedia search feature. It is usually located on the Advanced Search page, although some resources may also have a link to the images/multimedia in the navigation across the top of the page. Our Images guide also provides tips and tricks for locating images on the Internet that can be re-used without copyright concerns.

Sources for Images

Sources for Videos

Image Repositories on the Internet

How to Find Free Images on the Internet

Hint: You may need to also search synonyms (e.g. Volkswagen Beetle, VW Beetle, VW Bug)

Using Google Images to find images that may be free to use and/or modify.

  1. Go to Google Images: http://images.google.com/ and perform a search
  2. On the results page, click the cog icon to access a menu where you can access the Advanced Search
  3. Fill in the search box with your search terms
  4. In the Usage Rights section, change the pull-down menu to one of the reuse choices.

Using Flickr Advanced Search:

  1. Go to Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/
  2. Click the Search button without putting anything into the search blank
  3. Click the Advanced Search link that appears to the right of the search blank underneath the Search button.
  4. Fill in the search box with your search terms
  5. In the Creative Commons section towards the bottom of the screen, click
    "Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content" and then check
    "Find content to modify, adapt, or build upon "

Using Creative Commons:

  1. Go to Creative Commons search page: http://search.creativecommons.org/
  2. Fill in the search box with your search terms.
  3. Below the search box, remove the check mark next to "use for commercial purpose".
    Make sure there is a check mark next to "modify, adapt, build upon".
  4. You will see tabs for search results from Google, Google Images, Flickr, and others