A large collection of photographs of Kitchener (formerly Berlin) and Waterloo County, dating back to the late 19th century, can be found in the Grace Schmidt Room.

These photographs belong to the Kitchener Public Library and the Waterloo Historical Society.

Digital Collection

Our growing digital photograph collection can be viewed on the History in the Making website. New photographs are added regularly, so be sure to visit often!

Physical Collection

Photographs which have not yet been added to the digital collection can be viewed in the Grace Schmidt Room. A collection of index cards contains information about each photograph in the collection.

On each index card, you will find:

• Subject heading
• Title and description
• Acc. No. (also known as the “P” number)
• Coll. (the owner of the photograph is listed here, usually KPL or WHS)
• Neg. No. (negative number, if required)
• Loc. (location where the photograph is stored)
• Small copy of the original image (if available)

To view a photograph, please provide library staff with the “P” number and the “Loc” information from its index card.

Copyright and Conditions

Photographs are provided for research and private use only.

Researchers who want to publish or display any images must receive permission from the owner of the photograph, and are responsible for obtaining all necessary copyright permissions. Library staff will assist researchers to determine the copyright owner.

Kitchener Public Library and the Waterloo Historical Society do not accept responsibility for any violation of copyright. Information on copyright laws may be obtained from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

Researchers must cite the Kitchener Public Library or the Waterloo Historical Society for every image used. Researchers must also forward two (2) complimentary copies of any work using Grace Schmidt Room photographs at the time of publication.

Obtain a Copy of a Photograph

The following charges apply to the copying of photographs, slides and digital images:

Photographs or Slides

• $10.00 per photograph for 1 – 2 photographs
• $5.00 per photograph for more than 2 photographs
• The cost of copying, including HST, is also charged

Digital Images

• $10.00 per image + HST
• The cost of a disk or email transmission is included in the charge

To order copies of photographs, or for additional copyright information, please email gsr@kpl.org or call 519-743-0271 ext 212.