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Using Collections - Newspapers
LOCATING MATERIALS
The newspaper collection at the Center for American History, comprised of several thousand individual titles, is one of the largest newspaper collections in the state. Over time, different indexes to the collections have been compiled. For a comprehensive search, all these resources should be consulted. If, after consulting the following resources, you are still having difficulty locating newspapers for your research, please see a CAH staffmember for assistance.
Newspaper Collection Indexes and Lists:
Various guides and indexes to the CAH's newspaper collection can be found on the table adjacent to card catalog cabinet A and perpendicular to the Archives and Manuscripts Finding Aids table.
1. Newspaper Index: This primary guide to CAH newspapers is stored in a black binder and contains the following indexes:
A. Texas Newspaper Collection (pdf) holdings alphabetically by city of publication, then by title.
B. U.S. Newspaper Collection holdings alphabetically by state, by city of publication, and by title.
C. Newspaper holdings for Texas cities and towns arranged by county.
D. Natchez Trace Newspaper Collection alphabetically by state, by city of publication, and then by title.
E. Foreign Newspapers by country, by city of publication, then by title.
2. Index to Texas Newspaper Collection by Ethnic, Religious, Professional or Political Orientation.
3. Title and Keyword Title Indexes to the Texas Newspaper Collection.
4. Gannett Newspaper Collection: This provides subject access to a small collection of 20th century newspapers from around the United States.
5. Index to U.S. Newspapers housed at Collections Deposit Library: An alphabetical list of 1300 U.S. newspaper titles by state then by city which are held at the Collection Deposit Library, which is open to the public between 8-5 Monday-Friday.
6. If all else fails, ask a Reading Room staff member for assistance.
For more information see Guide to Newspaper Collections.
NARROWING YOUR SEARCH
After determining which titles you need to see, check UTCAT and/or the newspaper lists to verify title and issue date are at CAH.
- If the code in this list indicates there is a microfilm (MF) copy of the newspaper, researchers are required to use this copy. Go to the microfilm area (the Winkler Study adjacent to the Reading Room), where you will find the self-service microfilm and microfilm readers. Please do not refile microfilm after use. The self-serve microfilm reader/printer takes only copycards that are available for $1 at several locations close to the Center. .
- If code in the Newspaper Collection List indicates CAH holds only the actual newspaper (OR for hard copy, and MF for microfilm), fill out a SALMON call slip including town of publication, title of newspaper, and date desired.
Please note that most of the inclusive dates are for INCOMPLETE runs. We may not have every issue between the given dates.
REQUESTING MATERIALS
Use a SALMON call slip only for ORIGINAL newspapers (coded OR in the indexes to newspaper holdings). No call slip is needed for newspapers on microfilm (coded MF in the indexes to newspaper holdings). To complete your call slip:
- Use a SALMON slip to request an original format newspaper.
- Request only 1 item on each call slip.
- Print town of publication, title, the dates desired, and your name on the call slip.
- Use pencil only.
- Turn in your requests to the Reference Desk staff.
- Seat yourself at the oversize newspaper tables and wait for materials to be brought to you.
Due to the size of original format newspapers, the number of volumes or issues retrieved at once may be limited.
If you need additional assistance, please consult with the reference staff.
PHOTOCOPY POLICY, PRICES, AND PROCEDURE
Original format newspapers and cannot be photocopied due to their size and fragility. A self-serve microfilm printer that accepts ONLY COPYCARDS is located below the stairs next to the photocopier. Copycards are available for purchase at several locations near the Center.
A dagger (†) in the indexes to newspaper holdings indicates that microfilm rolls can be purchased from the Center for American History.
Original format newspapers may be photographed by patrons with no additional lighting and under the direct supervision of the Reading Room staff.
- To request that CAH staff make microprints from microfilm for you, fill out a PHOTOCOPYING WORKSHEET, following instructions exactly. See Reading Room staff for assistance if necessary.
- Prepayment will be necessary for large orders.
- If you would like to purchase photographic reproductions of any materials, please contact CAH staff for more information.
NOTE: Some items may not produce legible copies, due to low contrast between the paper and the ink or the poor quality of the original microfilm.