Access to Newspapers

Links on this page go to external web sites.

• Search Excelsior
• Newspapers on Microfilm
• Newspapers Online
• Newspapers in Paper Format

Search Excelsior

The Library holds many newspapers in both print and non-print formats. You can search for newspapers on our online catalog, Excelsior.

Newspapers on Microfilm

The New York State Library maintains a database of newspapers on microfilm and in print.

In addition to its files of New York newspapers, the New York State Library has backfiles of hundreds of old newspapers on film from other states, and even a few from other countries. Many runs of these newspapers are incomplete.

Newspapers on film may be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan, with a limit of five consecutive reels per title per request.

Newspapers Online

The New York State Library provides access to newspapers in electronic format through the Internet and subscriptions to commercial databases. Please contact the reference desk at 518-473-5676 for further information.

Many newspapers are available to the public on the Internet. Some good sources are:

• Selected Newspaper Resources, from the Library's Internet Bibliographies
• Online NY Newspapers from New York State Newspapers
• NYS Historic Newspapers from Northern New York Library Network
• OnlineNewspapers.com

Newspapers in Paper Format

Newspapers in paper format may be used at the State Library if condition permits. Many newspapers in paper format are stored in another building. Users must request them one work day in advance of use and use them at the State Library's Manuscripts and Special Collections reading room.

For newspapers that are received in paper and film, the paper copy is kept until the film is received.