Searching Newspapers

Some research projects require searching newspapers, either current or historical. Trent subscribes to current newspapers in print, on microfilm, or online. Historical newspapers are usually on microfilm.

Search Omni

While many newspapers offer limited online access through a website, only paying subscribers have access to all the articles online. To discover if a newspaper is available through the library, search Omni for the title of the newspaper.

Omni offers a special search for Newspapers.  Selecting "Newspapers" or "Newspapers Search"in Omni changes your search to find only newspaper articles related to your search terms, whether Trent subscribes to them or not.

Search Databases

Many of our A&I databases search newspapers, and provide filters to limit to news items. To find a database:

  • Go to the Databases A-Z Page and limit to Type: Newspapers.  This finds all databases that search newspapers. Select one based on the description provided.

Print Index

Older Canadian newspapers can be searched using the Canadian Periodical Index, a print (hard-copy) resource in the Reference Collection. This index goes back to the 1920s.

Historical Newspapers

The Trent Library also keeps many historical newspapers on microfilm. These can be found by searching Omni.

The Boston news-letter (Boston, Mass. : 1704-1776) is available on microfilm. This is of special interest to those studying Piracy.

Online:
London Times: The Times Digital Archive 1785-1985
Globe and Mail: The Globe and Mail (1844 - 4 years ago)
17th-18th Century Burney Collection Newspapers (British)

World Newspaper Archive - Africa and South Asia (from Center for Research Libraries)

  • WNA-Africa contains more than 420,000 pages of content from newspapers published throughout sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other countries.
  • WNA-South Asia contains more than 500,000 pages of content from 10 newspapers published throughout the subcontinent.

Google News Archive

  • Includes content from a number of sources, including both partner content digitized by Google through the News Archives Partner Program and online archival materials. Search results can include content that is freely accessible as well as content that requires a fee. You can either browse through the full collection of scanned papers or search them.

Libris Canadiana

  • Offers historical indexing to select Canadian newspapers and journals, including the Finanacial Post (1907-1948) and Monetary Times (1867-1929).

The Trent University Archives also maintains a list of historical newspapers available in the Archives.

International Newspapers

List of Newspapers

  • A free website providing links to more than 25,000 newspapers in 201 countries and territories.

World Newspaper Archive - Africa and South Asia (historical)

  • WNA-Africa contains more than 420,000 full text pages of content from newspapers published throughout sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other countries.
  • WNA-South Asia contains more than 500,000 full text pages of content from 10 newspapers published throughout the subcontinent.

Trent Library is a member of The Center for Research Libraries (CRL). Resources can be borrowed through Trent's Interlibrary Loans department (RACER). The Center’s resources include:

  • 6,500 international newspapers, many dating to the 1700s--the largest collection of circulating newspapers in North America
  • 4,500 U.S. newspapers, many dating to the colonial era, including 2,000 ethnic titles.
  • Search the CRL catalogue to find titles you need, then order them through RACER.

Other Options

The Peterborough Public Library provides access to other Canadian and international newspapers that Trent does not carry. Peterborough residents may obtain a library card by applying in person with proof of residency. Access to online resources is available from home once you have a card.

Most newspapers have websites which provide limited access to the content - search for them on the web.

Google has a news site at: google.news.ca.

List of Newspapers is a free website providing links to more than 25,000 newspapers in 201 countries and territories.