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NewsLibrary Online!
By Michelle Devins, Birmingham Public Library, Regional Library Computer Center
NewsLibraryNewsLibrary is a searchable archive of newspapers and other sources from across the county. Anyone can access the archive on the intranet and search through more than 1200 news sources. If you're a Jefferson County resident, lucky you! Residents of Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) website, www.jclc.org, or their local library to get free articles from The Birmingham News. Although patrons may search for articles in any paper or news source in database, only The Birmingham News will be available for FREE! Articles from other sources may be purchased fro a small fee. Patrons who need regular access to several papers may set up a yearly subscription.

Here' How It Works

Visit www.jclc.org. Scroll over the word "Resources" the click "Databases." A library card is needed to use these databases. Choose NewsLibrary from the drop down list.

NewsLibrary offers several ways to search. Quickly access The Birmingham News by clicking the state of Alabama on the map then type the search terms into the box. Click the box next to "Birmingham News" then click "Search." Search results are listed along with the first paragraph of the article. View the entire article by clicking the phrase "purchase complete article."

Tips For Better Searching

Put phrases and full names in quotation marks. Narrow the search by date by selecting from the drop down list. Choose new source. For example, The Birmingham News is archived from April 27, 1993.

Have some fun with it! You may have been in the paper without ever knowing it. Try looking up yourself, you friends and family members.

Participate In A Quick Scavenger Hunt And Win A Prize!

  1. In what year did the Hip Hop artists OutKast play at City Stages?
  2. Long before American Idol, Ruben Studdard was presented as a Genteel Beaux: Young Man of Distinction by Alpha Pi Chi Sorority. In what year did this happen?

Both answers can be found in The Birmingham News. Call the the Central Library Regional Library Computer Center to claim your prize at (205) 226-3799. (limited number of prizes available)

"What If I Don't Have A Library Card?"

Jefferson County residents can now sign up for a temporary library card online. This service is called the eCard and will allow patrons to use all of JCLC's electronic resources for one month. Patrons may upgrade to a full service library card by visiting any library in Jefferson County with a valid ID.

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