This contribution shows ongoing interdisciplinary research of the project HistStadt4D, concerning the investigation and development of different multimodal access strategies on large image repositories. The first part of the presented research introduces different methods of access, where classical analogue access stands in contrast to digital access strategies such as online collections, Web3D, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). We discuss the main persisting issues of libraries, advantages of digital methods, and different access tools. The second part shows technologies and workflows used to create various access possibilities. The photogrammetric and geo-informational work serves as a technical basis for a 3D WebGIS as well as multiple AR/VR applications, which require spatial oriented images, object coordinates, and further spatial data. We introduce a research environment that allows art historians spatial access to historical photography, integrating 3D/4D models with photographic documents of the respective architecture. For dissemination of research results in installations and museums, we present fully immersive VR as well as handheld AR applications allowing users a free exploration of historical photography in a spatial setting.