What are the best ways to get credit for uploads ?

I realise that one's ability to have special requests granted is related to how much one has contributed.

I plan to upload a lot of material (topic related) that I have taken the time to scan.

If and when I want to make a special request, hopefully people will remember that I have also contributed a lot of good material.

Are there ways of self promotion that will create a lot of ill will and/or get me banned.

Those that contribute are brought to the attention of the powers that be. We extend courtesies to those that we notice. There is no formal system. It's the same way an employee gets noticed by the CEO, by doing a good job. Do a good job and you may be invited upstairs to the board room :)