About the Digital Collections

CPL's Digital Collections document life in Chicago through archival images, documents and artifacts.

Cloud Gate, assembly complete, July 16, 2004; photo courtesy of U.S. Equities Realty and the men and women who built Millennium Park

Browse the Digital Collections

About

Chicago Public Library’s digital program strengthens communities and sparks passion about the city by expanding access to our unique resources and special collections. We support community-based and scholarly research, document Chicago’s life and neighborhoods and provide primary sources to tell our stories. Our digital collections showcase thousands of archival images, documents and artifacts.

Questions or concerns about rights and access to our digital collections? See our Copyright and Takedown Policy.

Acknowledgment of Harmful Materials

Chicago Public Library collects images, documents and other archival materials from different communities and time periods to preserve and make available the cultural and historical record. As historical objects, some of these materials contain harmful or disturbing content. CPL presents these artifacts as an unfiltered social record and does not endorse the views expressed therein.

Contact Us

Questions or comments about the materials on this site, archival reproductions or Chicago history research? Email Special Collections at specoll@chipublib.org.