History: Primary Sources  Tags: primary_source san_francisco_state_university sf_state sfsu history_research j._paul_leonard  

The SFSU Library has many historical newspapers and magazines, available in one of two formats:  BOUND (hard copy) and MICROFILM/FICHE.

Both are only available by request (delivered to HSS), which takes at least 24 hours (M-F).

Request Books & More
Watch a quick tutorial on requesting library materials.

1. Double check if we have a copy online.

2. Double check if we have a copy IN the SFSU Library (bound print copy or microfilm). 

• Check the list below (Suggested Titles). 
• Search for a bound/microfilm copy of the newspaper/magazine title in the Library Catalog. 

2. Order it (free service!) from ILLiad (Document Delivery Services).  Free service; takes about 3 days - 3 weeks to get articles.

This is a list of many of the historical magazines and newspapers available in the SFSU Library (bound or microfilm/fiche).  Some of these titles may also be available online for different dates; if so, that is noted here.

To access these titles, follow the links.  Most are available by request, and will be delivered to HSS within 24 hours (M-F). For those at the Labor Archives, you must go there in person for access.

This list is NOT COMPREHENSIVE. To search for a specific newspaper/magazine:

• Check if it's available online: Check the online section of this guide. Double check by searching the Electronic Journal List.
• Check if it's available IN the Library (bound/microfilm): search for the title in the Library Catalog.

Useful in order to identify specific articles on a given topic.  Will not include the full text of the article.

1.The Library of Congress has a detailed directory of newspapers published in the US from 1690-present.

2. Consult a periodical directory. A good source is the Historical Guides to the World's Periodicals and Newspapers, a series of directories which list historical magazines and newspapers in a number of different sub-fields (such as American literary magazines, children's periodicals, or women's consumer magazines). To browse this series, access the Library Catalog, perform a TITLE search for "Historical Guides to the Worlds Periodicals And Newspapers."

3. A useful source for locating newspapers is the book American Journalism: A History of Newspapers in the United States through 250 Years, 1690-1940.