Historic newspaper archive opens - ...

Subject: RE: Historic newspaper archive opens - ...
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 07:11 AM

I understand from users that whilst the scans are OK, the downloadable PDF versions are indistinct and frankly a waste of time and money. And you have to pay for those. Sad. The Australian and New Zealand efforts are far superior and FREE!!!

Subject: RE: Historic newspaper archive opens - ...
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 12:03 AM

Wonderful!

Subject: RE: Historic newspaper archive opens - ...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 09:32 PM

How can we get the British Library to digitize all its out-of-copyright sheet music?

Subject: Historic newspaper archive opens - ...
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 06:08 AM

Historic newspaper archive opens - BUT at a price.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-15924003

A historic British newspaper online archive has been launched.

The site will initially give access to four million pages from 200 newspapers from the 18th and 19th Centuries.

The project is a collaboration between the British Library and Dundee-based IT firm Brightsolid.

Brightsolid's chief executive, Chris van der Kuyl, said: "This new website will help safeguard the future of the world's greatest newspaper collection, a treasure trove of personal stories."

A total of 120,000 pages will be added to daily and 40 million pages will be digitised over the next 10 years, spanning three centuries."

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At last the Brits have caught up with Australia and New Zealand. The latters' archives have proven a rich source of information about social dancing, step & clog dancing, and even morris. And there are the words of numerous 'folk songs' if you search carefully.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast

AND THESE SITES ARE FREE.

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However for the UK this site states:

http://newspapers.bl.uk/blcs/

"Explore two million pages of 19th century newspapers. Search 49 local and national titles using keywords ... See your search terms in context ... View complete articles from the Penny Illustrated Paper and The Graphic free of charge OR buy a 24-hour pass for £6.99 allowing you to view up to 100 articles, or a seven-day pass with 200 article views for £9.99 More OR access the whole site free if you are a member of a subscribing institution ..."

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That is you still have to pay £7 a day or £20 a week, unless you can wrangle a free pass as a student or academic researcher.

Not good...

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