I need to look at some pages from a Syriac manuscript in the collection of the National Library of Russia in St Petersburg. Rather than flying out there, paying for a hotel, it might be cheaper to just purchase a few digital photographs. At least, one would hope so!
After a look at page on the website which talks about electronic copies, I have composed an email in English and sent it off. It will be interesting to see whether they are cooperative or not. Manuscript libraries can be very bolshy!
I will let you know.