Our collection of rare books and other printed materials (including pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, and broadsides) numbers nearly one million items mostly dating from the colonial era to 1880 (and in some areas on into the early 20th century). Most materials were printed in America, and in fact we have one of the three largest collections of American books printed before 1800. However, the collection also includes large numbers of 15th to 19th century books imported by the Library Company from Great Britain and the Continent, or acquired from private collectors. Thus it is perhaps the most complete and accurate representation anywhere of what Americans were actually reading over an extensive period. We have long participated in cooperative imaging and digital publishing projects, so many of our early American imprints are available online. Our readers typical use originals in conjunction with digital resources.