Documentation
Getting Started
Start here if you are new to Urban Lithograph and want the clearest path from the Research Library and Watchlist Blog into your account and working records.
Documentation Summary
Getting started at a glance
Updated
March 23, 2026
Start with
The public Research Library, taxonomy pages, and article maps.
Members can
Save workspace location records, create working copies, use location-linked chat tools, open Sanborn Maps, and use extended Signals inside the workspace.
Need access?
Choose a plan on Access, request an account, and wait for administrator approval.
Best next guide
Read Working Copies after this if you want to keep working from a research article.
1. Start with the public library
You do not need an account to use the public research library. Article pages, taxonomy pages, archive cards, map views, recent coverage, related reading, and the Watchlist Blog are all meant to help you understand a place before you decide to keep going.
A good first step is to open the archive, browse by state, theme, type, or status, and then open a place that looks close to what you are researching.
2. Request access when you need follow-through
- Choose a plan on the Access page.
- Complete the request form on Register.
- Wait for approval before workspace tools are enabled.
- Return to Profile and Dashboard after approval to confirm your account state.
3. Make your first working copy
Once you have access, one of the easiest ways to begin is from a research article. If the article has linked locations behind it, you can add that location or location set to your own workspace as a working copy.
That gives you a workspace record you can continue from without changing the public article itself, including the map and historical map tools attached to the place.