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U.S. Newspapers

Collection Policy Statement Index

I. Definition

A newspaper is a serial publication, appearing usually at least weekly, which serves as a primary source of information on current events of general interest. While format can vary widely, newspapers are normally published without a cover, but with a masthead or banner, and are normally larger than 12 x 17 inches.

II. Scope

The Library's United States newspaper collection includes titles published in all states and territories from 1704 to the present. Holdings include newspapers published in a variety of formats, including, but not limited to, current issues on newsprint; bound and loose pre-1870 issues printed on "rag" paper; and permanent collections on microfilm. This policy covers all newspaper resources, regardless of format, including those available in machine-readable format. (Electronic availability does not affect the criteria for acquisitions and retention listed below except that electronic unavailability of an important paper may influence the need to acquire the inkprint edition.)

Newspapers published outside the U.S. are covered in a separate policy statement--see: CPS, Newspapers -- Current -- Foreign. Newspapers published to serve a specific ethnic or cultural group are covered in a separate policy statement--see: CPS, Ethnic Publications.

III. Research Strengths

The Library's newspaper collection is notable for its breadth of coverage, size, and diversity of viewpoints represented. Special strengths include:

18th and 19th-century newspapers, particularly from New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.
German and Japanese U.S. POW camp newspapers.
Japanese-American internment camp newspapers.
Historic Events Newspaper Collection, covering notable events in U.S. and world history from 1846 to the present. Papers reporting these special events are retained in original format.

IV. Comparison with collections of other major research centers

The Library's collection of 18th-century newspapers is second only to that of the American Antiquarian Society. The collections of the New York Public Library, the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the Western Reserve Historical Society, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California at Berkeley are especially strong in 19th-century U.S. newspapers.

V. General Policy

The Library is not comprehensive in its collecting of U.S. newspapers. The goal is coverage of all states and major metropolitan areas. The Library relies on state libraries and other local and regional repositories to acquire and preserve local newspapers and make them available for research through the U.S. Newspaper Program. The USNP is a coordinated effort funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities to catalog and preserve all newspapers published in the U.S. and its territories.

U. S. newspapers are acquired and retained to support both the information needs of Congress and researchers. To meet the information needs of Congress, the Library relies primarily on newspaper (and other resources) available in electronic or other non-print media.

The Library acquires and permanently retains U.S. newspapers which are:

National in Scope and coverage. Examples include the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. The Library will make every effort to obtain for the permanent collection the edition that is indexed and preserved.
Reflective of regional views and coverage. Examples include the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Charlotte Observer. The Library will acquire more than one paper published in the same city if both meet criteria for retention.
Of recognized journalistic quality.
Recognized for their important political or cultural perspectives.
Known for exceptional coverage of specific subjects.
In the top 100 papers, by circulation.
In addition, the Library will also acquire a newspaper from each state or U.S. territorial capital.

On a select basis, current issues of newspapers not intended to become part of the permanent collections (CIO) may be acquired, in consultation with the Congressional Research Service, to support the current information needs of Congress. These current issues will be housed and serviced in the Serial and Government Publications Division.

VI. Permanent Retention

The preferred format for permanent retention is silver-gelatin-on-polyester-base 35mm roll microfilm. When available, microfilm that has been processed with a polysulfiding treatment, such as IPI Silverlock (tm) or its equivalent, is preferred. Newspapers published prior to 1870 on "rag" paper may be retained in original ink-print format if they have artifactual value.

VII. Review

The list of U.S. newspapers acquired will be reviewed every three years.

VIII. Responsibility

The Chief of the Serial and Government Publications Division (or his/her designee) is responsible for implementing this policy.

Note: Formerly APS No. 36.
Originally written February, 1953; revised November, 1996.

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