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.
