The Newberry’s physical collection is vast, containing over 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, 1,300 unique archival collections, and much more. Altogether, this material fills over 27.5 miles of shelving.
In the mid-1990s, prompted by the rise of the internet, new imaging technology, and increasing demand, the Newberry began to digitize its material. While this work initially supported specific publications and exhibitions, the benefits quickly expanded. Now, digitization is central to our mission, making a significant and ever-growing portion of our holdings accessible to scholars globally, fostering new types of research, and engaging a broader public.
This exhibit offers a snapshot of our digital collection, showcasing some of our most popular educational and interactive digital resources.
Curators
Jennifer Thom Dalzin, Director of Digital Initiatives and Services, Newberry Library
Allison DeArcangelis, Digital Asset Management Librarian, Newberry Library
Sophia Croll, Assistant Director of Teacher Programs, Newberry Library
Catherine Gass, Photographer/Digitization Specialist, Newberry Library
Kara Johnson, Director of Teacher Programs, Newberry Library
Kinsey Major, Postcard Librarian, Newberry Library
Anjela Sullivan, Digital Archivist, Newberry Library
Jen Wolfe, Digital Scholarship and Outreach Librarian, Newberry Library
about the space
The Hanson Gallery is a small, intimate space. Exhibitions mounted there typically include 12-24 items, allowing visitors a glimpse of what the Newberry’s vast collections have to offer. Hanson exhibitions are often modest thematic presentations that draw from a range of the library's collections or interpretive explorations that are built around single items. Examples of past exhibitions include: Wheels and Indigenous Portraits Unbound. Click here to view a photo of the gallery.
