Harold Washington Library Center
Special Collections
The Special Collections and Preservation Division, established in 1975, collects, preserves, and provides access to rare and unique materials of the Chicago Public Library. Access is provided by the Library's online catalog, printed finding aids and card catalog, and increasingly, via the Internet.
NINTH FLOOR
400 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60605
specoll@chipublib.org
Reading Room Hours:
Monday - Tuesday, noon - 6:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, noon - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, Closed
Phone: (312) 747-4875
Fax: (312) 747-4890
About Special Collections and Preservation
Special Collections acquires in a variety of areas relating to the American Civil War, Chicago theater history, Chicago World's Fairs of 1893 and 1933-34, neighborhood history, rare books and manuscripts, Chicago authors and publishers, and the archives of the Chicago Public Library. In addition to these areas, the Division is responsible for several art and artifact collections.
In 1991, the Harold Washington Archives & Collections were established to document the political career of Chicago's first African American mayor, Harold Washington. These collections contain nearly 400 linear feet of printed and manuscript material, more than 10,000 photographs, audio and video cassettes as well as artifacts.
The Division is composed of four distinct parts: Special Collections, Archives, Exhibits, and Preservation. Research orientation sessions based on the Division's collections are offered year round for instructors and their classes by appointment.
Reading Room Procedures
Visitors and researchers are welcome to use the Division's Reading Room during its open hours and by appointment. Given the special nature of these materials, visitors and researchers are asked to conform to security and handling precautions to protect the Library's holdings. Patrons are required to sign a daily log upon admittance, complete a registration form, and present valid photo identification before receiving materials. Standard reference works are accessible on open shelving, but all other materials must be paged by staff. All materials are to be used only in the Reading Room. Photocopies and photographic reproductions may be obtained by patrons for a fee if the physical condition of the material permits.