An online archive of historic Brookfield photographs has gone live, and more images are being added weekly through a digitization effort being carried out by the Brookfield Public Library and Brookfield Historical Society in connection with the village’s 125th birthday this year.

As of May 18, the online archive, which can be accessed by visiting the Brookfield Public Library’s website, included some 200 photos from the historical society’s collection.

The photos, many culled from a Brookfield history book published in 1993, are arranged in categories, including Homes; Brookfield Businesses; Parks, Parades and Celebrations; Brookfield Zoo; People; Brookfield Schools and more.

Photos can be viewed by clicking on them and can be downloaded to users’ computers, said Murray.

Volunteers have been scanning photos, verifying information about them and uploading the images and information to an online database for the past several months.

“It takes a lot of time and dedication,” said Frank Murray, head of reference and electronic services for the Brookfield Public Library.

While the library has a small group of dedicated volunteers who continue to upload photos weekly – there are another 350 photos from the historical society and from local schools in the pipeline – anyone who wants to share their historic photos of Brookfield can submit them online through the website.

After agreeing to the terms of use (that the public can access and download the image) any photo or scanned document can be uploaded. Contributors will also be asked to submit a description of the item being submitted.

In addition, the library has started hosting “digitization parties” in its upstairs classroom space. Murray said the library has used its newsletter and social media to spread the news about the parties, where volunteers will walk people through the steps of submitting photos themselves.

Brookfield Public Library will host its next digitization parties on Sunday, May 20 at 1 p.m.; on Thursday, June 14 at 1 p.m.; and Thursday, June 28 at 7 p.m. Contributors are asked to limit the number of photos they are bringing to 10 or less.

“Each week or two we add more photos to the live site,” Murray said. “This week about 20 to 25 photos will be added.”