Accessing Historical Newspapers
Some newspapers are now available online in full text, or even with searchable full-page images. If the paper you want to explore is now online, however, you may still need to look at it on microfilm. The links below should help you find what you need.
If the newspaper you need is not online or available in the library, keep in mind that we may be able to get copies via OhioLINK or Inter Library Loan. You'll need to be able to narrow down a time frame though, so you can request specific rolls of film.
- Historical NewspapersDatabases that include historic newspapers, and individual titles.
- Periodical Title Search in the ALICE CatalogIf you know you need to access a specific newspaper for your research and it's not listed on the Historical Newspaper pages, you should search for the title in the ALICE catalog. This will tell you whether the Libraries have access and how you can get access to the newspaper.
- Reader's Guide RetrospectiveContaining comprehensive indexing of the most popular general-interest periodicals published in the United States and reflects the history of 20th century America. The complete database covers the years 1890 through 1982.
While you wont find the full text of articles here, you can use the citation information to get the articles on microfilm or via InterLibrary Loan.
Newspapers on Microfilm
A number of newspapers are available on microfilm on the 1st floor of Alden Library.
If you want to find a specific title, use the Periodical Title search in the ALICE catalog to see whether it is available.
Otherwise, the advanced search options in ALICE can help you find a newspaper in the microform collection.
- Using an advanced search in ALICE, click to Show/Hide Advanced options
- Enter "newspaper" as your search term. If you want to limit by a location (ex: Chicago), add that into the second search box
- Use the first Limit to box to limit your results to just Periodicals
- Limt the Location field to Alden Microforms
- Set a date range
- Click search
Beware of Name Changes
Some newspapers have changed their name over the course of their lifetime. The library catalog will show you each title individually, but the Continues and Continued by fields will show you which title preceded or succeeded the title you are looking at.
For example, the Chicago Daily Tribune is on microfilm for 1860-1864. If you wanted that paper from 1865, you would need to see the record for the Chicago Tribune (1864-1872).
