Learn How and Why CHPL Digitizes Important Photos and Documents

Written by the Genealogy & Local History Department, Downtown Main Library

Since 2007, our Genealogy & Local History’s Digital Services team has been continually digitizing materials for community access and researchers worldwide. The digitization project is made possible thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, awarded by the State Library of Ohio along with additional matching donations.

Digitization is the process of converting photographs, printed materials, film and three-dimensional objects into a computer-readable format. The result is a digital file that can be displayed and reproduced. Digitization is important for preserving the condition of the object or material while also allowing public access to rare and fragile library items.

Anyone around the world can access these materials by viewing the Digital Library, opens a new window. Here you can find:

• Images of our local veterans contributed through the Veterans History Project, opens a new window
• Late-19th century newspaper columns, opens a new window reporting on Cincinnati's Black community
• Maps of Cincinnati, opens a new window
• City & County Directories, opens a new window
• Cincinnati Trade Catalogs, opens a new window
• Past Cincinnati Room exhibits
• Greater Cincinnati Memory Project, opens a new window boasting nearly 6,000 local history images

Additionally, the Library’s Digital Services team aids other local libraries and institutions with their digitization efforts. Lloyd Library, Hamilton County’s Law Library, Hamilton County’s Clerk of Courts and Recorder’s Office, Lane Library, Tri-State Warbird Museum, University of Cincinnati, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, as well as various historical societies have all taken part in the Library’s digitization efforts.

Dive into CHPL's digitization efforts to provide greater access to our rare print materials, especially those of local significance, in the Digital Library, opens a new window.