An overlooked resource in writing research papers is the historical newspaper database. The library offers the Historical New York Times (1851-2009) and the Historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers. These databases are easy to access and offer full text of the articles as they appeared at the time. This primary source information is invaluable for the student needing to cite primary print sources.
For example, the Historical New York Times has a June 17, 1931 page 1 article on gangster Al Capone's guilty plea to tax evasion, containing tidbits such as Capone beaming as he seated himself in court, wearing a "sulphur-colored suit," pleading guilty in a scarcely audible voice, and considering himself still young at 32. The Historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch also has articles such as this one from July 28, 1885: "A Brewery Switch: the Trouble and Turmoil it Causes in Southern St. Louis."
Accessing these databases is easy. Go to www.slcl.org, then click on the Research tab at the top of the page. Select the category "News, Sports & Weather" from the subject guides and then click on Historical New York Times or Historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
After logging in with library card number and PIN number, the articles are available in pdf format and searchable by keywords.
--Harry C., Reference
No comments:
Post a Comment