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I guess R-R are still somewhat stuck in the past. Many archives and libraries used to ban photos. Copyrights, flashlights and assorted disturbing noises were common reasons. Many are easing up, for example the British Library, Science Museum Archive and National Aerospace Library have all eased up significantly over the last few years. This seems mainly because modern digital equipment is far less intrusive, and perhaps also because more institutions seem aware of the public's right to access materials paid for by the public purse. On the other hand, they still hold draconian axes over publishing permissions and are terrified of losing their income stream from copyrights.

But yes, unless you are lucky to find your materials online or in the possession of someone who will send you a scan and permission, much research has ground to a halt. I have a book completed but I cannot progress it because the institution concerned has nobody around to discuss copyright decisions, and publishers are for the most part struggling to get their existing commitments out the door. So I have resorted to a much shorter book on a different topic, with its new information and image permissions obtained via personal contact, which I am in process of self-publishing.