Using the Connecticut State Library's Newspaper Collections

Original Newspapers | Microfilmed Newspapers

Using Original Newspapers

Current Newspapers
A comprehensive collection of Newspapers Currently Received by the Connecticut State Library supplements the Library's general collections, which emphasize public policy, social issues, economics, business, labor, and education. Current newspapers (generally those received within the past six months) are in the Newspaper Room. For newspapers that are received both in paper and on film, the paper copy is generally kept only until the microfilm has been received.

Non-Current Original Newspapers
Some 600 titles in boxed, bound, or encapsulated formats are part of the Library's Secured Collections. These original newspapers must be used in the Archives/Secured Collections Research Area (ARA), a secured patron use area located within the History and Genealogy Reading Room. Current retrieval times are 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Patrons who do not already have passes must read the current Rules and Procedures for Researchers Using Archival Records, Original Newspapers, and Secured Collections Materials and then obtain an Archives Pass. This process takes about fifteen minutes. Once the pass is obtained, call slips for materials must completed and submitted to the librarian at the History and Genealogy Information Desk at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled retrieval time (10:15 a.m. or 1:45 p.m.). Because of the time required to obtain a pass and write up call slips, those without passes should plan to start the process at least 30 minutes before the retrieval times.

Before submitting a request for an original newspaper, please check the online catalog, CONSULS, to make sure that the newspaper is not on microfilm.

Original newspapers do not go out on interlibrary loan. In most cases you must either visit the State Library in person, have someone come here for you, or hire a Professional Researcher Familiar With Connecticut State Library Collections to look at the original newspaper. However, if you have the exact reference to an article in an original newspaper (not on microfilm) -- name of paper, date of issue, title of article, and page number on which the article appears, you may contact our staff and request a copy of the article from the original newspaper. Patrons may not photocopy Secured Collections materials, including original newspapers, themselves. Refer to Copies, Copies and Change for information on fees and services available at the State Library.

Using Newspaper Microfilms

The Connecticut State Library is committed to preserving the newspaper record of Connecticut's history by acting as a permanent depository of Connecticut newspapers. To this end, it has developed a collection of over 20,000 reels of Connecticut newspapers on microfilm. The State Library also collects and retains several major national publications on microfilm (including the New York Times, September 1851 to the present; New York Herald Tribune, September 1949-April 1966; Christian Science Monitor, January 1954-December 1992; and Wall Street Journal, 1984- ) and the London Gazette, 1675-1800 to supplement research needs.

At the State Library
Patrons who come to the library in person may use either microfilm readers or reader-printers to read articles from microfilmed newspapers. Information on fees and procedures for using the microfilm readers is at Copies, Copiers and Change.

On Interlibrary Loan
Newspapers on microfilm may be Borrowed From the State Library in Hartford on Interlibrary Loan.

Originally prepared by the Connecticut Newspaper Project, Connecticut State Library, November, 1996. Revised by the History and Genealogy Unit, November, 2000, October 2005. © 2005.