This collection is a compilation of CMC’s paper-based history collections that were mass-produced, i.e., printed. It consists of books, pamphlets, newspapers and maps that trace the development of metropolitan Cincinnati, and provide general historical background for Ohio and the Old Northwest Territory. The collection also contains broadsides, sheet music, and ephemera that document everyday life in Cincinnati. Botanical books collected by Cincinnatian Cornelius J. Hauck are also part of the collection.

The history portion of the book collection is strong in 18th and 19th century travel accounts of the Ohio River Valley and standard histories of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. U.S. Civil War regimental histories are another large component of the collection as are early laws of the Old Northwest Territory, Ohio and Kentucky. Local institutional histories and biographies of individuals associated with the area complete the collection. The genealogical portion of the book collection includes family histories, town and county histories for Ohio, the surrounding states and New England and published indexes to birth, marriage and death records for Hamilton County, Ohio.

The newspaper collection contains hardbound copies of early Cincinnati newspaper titles and microfilm holdings of 20th century Cincinnati newspaper titles.

The pamphlet collection includes church histories, catalogs of local businesses, local art exhibition catalogs, local transportation pamphlets, speeches and anti-slavery tracts.

Maps of Cincinnati from founding to the present, maps of Hamilton County and the surrounding counties from mid-19th century to the present, maps of the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana from founding to the present and Civil War campaign maps constitute the map collection.

The sheet music collection consists of titles concerning Cincinnati along with a representative number of titles of Cincinnati publishers. Advertising cards, greeting cards, invitations, menus and tickets for local businesses, clubs, and institutions constitute the ephemera collection. The broadside collection contains announcements for local events as well as advertisements for local businesses and elections.

The Hauck botanical collection contains approximately 3,900 titles relating to botany, horticulture, land architecture & forestry dating from the 15th century through the 20th century.