Following last year’s launch of the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), the first group of materials from DePaul University’s Special Collections and Archives is now available through one of the world’s largest collection of digital images. Drawing primarily, at present, from its Lincoln Park Collections, DePaul joins over 100 libraries from around the State of Illinois in bringing new resources to the “essential mix between unique local stories that help DPLA represent the diversity of experiences across the country and collections of national significance that contribute to our common heritage.”
While DePaul provides access to many local history materials through its work with DPLA, this is only one platform for accessing our special collections. DePaul’s ongoing partnership with libraries, archives, and museums across the city through Chicago Collections provides access to an even wider array of local history resources through EXPLORE Chicago Collections, and materials with a local focus are also available through the DePaul Heritage Collections, Lincoln Park Neighborhood Collection, and other digital collections. We hope that anyone discovering the DePaul University Library through DPLA will continue to explore and learn more about the unique resources available through our Special Collections and Archives.
The DePaul University Library collaborates with partners across the university to support local history research through the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative, and contributes to DPLA as a member of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI). If you would like to learn more about our Community Collections, or to suggest a possible donation of materials, please contact Jamie Nelson, Head, Special Collections and Archives.