Explore Chicago Collections allows you to search for information in the physical and digital archives of a growing number of libraries and museums.

Chicago is home to a diverse range of organizations with extensive resources about the city's history and culture. Researchers often have to visit more than one archive to do in-depth research about Chicago. Most libraries and museums provide detailed guides to their archives that researchers can consult on the web prior to visiting in person. Until now, researchers had to know (or guess) in advance which libraries were likely to have relevant materials.

Explore Chicago Collections brings those guides together into a single gateway to Chicago resources. By searching Explore Chicago Collections, you can easily tell which archives you'll need to consult to research your subject, and you may even discover resources in unexpected places.

Explore Chicago Collections also provides access to digitized images from those collections where possible. With over 100,000 digitized images available, you can explore fascinating imagery from Chicago-area archives covering the city's architecture, people, politics, history, culture and more.

Chicago Collections member libraries also collaborate to provide research support for Chicago-related topics. The "Ask Us" feature allows you to ask for help in your Chicago research across member libraries.

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Using Archives
Learn how to use the guides available on this site to visit archives in person.
About Chicago Collections
Learn about the organization.