SF Public Library launches massive, historical platform free to public
By Bay City News Service, Aug 22, 2026
The San Francisco Public Library announced this week that it has launched a new platform for its digital archive featuring more than 80,000 pieces of historical items that are free to access for the public.
The archive, called DigitalSF, includes historical photographs dating back to before the city was founded, as well as documents, manuscripts, maps, publications, and oral histories.
The archive migrated to a different platform with improved features and an enhanced user experience, the library said. No library card is required.
“DigitalSF makes it easier for anyone — whether they live in San Francisco or anywhere in (or around) the world — to explore and share the city’s stories,” said Christina Moretta, photo curator and manager of the San Francisco History Center, in a statement. The history center is the library’s archive at the Main Library that holds physical historical materials related to the city.
Some highlights in the archive include Harvey Milk’s handwritten speeches, African American oral histories, photos of the city from the 19th century, and images of the city after the 1868, 1906 and 1989 earthquakes.
New collections are added every month, with the most recently added collection including city ordinances going back to 1862, clippings from historical newspapers documenting mid-20th century life in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood, and a collection of color slides picturing murals from across the city.
“DigitalSF opens a window into San Francisco’s past,” Moretta said. “The photographs, maps, documents and oral histories reveal the everyday lives, neighborhoods and communities that make this city unique.”
All materials in the archive can be viewed and downloaded for research and fair use. People can create free accounts to save items and citations.
There are more than 37,000 images in the public domain, so users can download them free of charge without copyright permissions. Users can also order high-quality reproductions or obtain permissions to publish certain materials.
he archive can be accessed at https://digitalsf.org.
Read more: SF Public Library launches massive, historical platform free to public – SF GateContinue/Read Original Article: SF Public Library launches massive, historical platform free to public
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