The Santa Monica Public Library Image Archives illustrate the history of the Santa Monica area from 1885 to the present day. The Archives consists of a historical photograph collection and a slide archive numbering more than 2500 images. The original photographs and slides are stored to preserve the quality and integrity of the images, but the public may view the collection in digitized format at the Image Archives workstation.
Duplicate transparencies are available to circulate from the slide archive.
Prints from slides may be made with the Library's permission. The Archive was established through donations of photographs and slides of the area. Many local photographers are represented including Harry Frantz Rile, Adelbert Bartlett, C.C. Pierce, Victor Barnaba, and Ken Strickfaden among others. City Departments have also contributed to the collection. The Slide Archive dates from the 1950's but also documents new architecture.