In a recent message to CRL library directors, Bernie Reilly reported that CRL has begun to explore with a few large aggregators providing “end-to end” coverage of news content to researchers at CRL libraries. The recent CRL offers of several key news databases from Readex are a step in that direction: they provide favorable terms for access to a range of historic and current news content.
The seven Readex databases offered include three historical databases of U.S. ethnic newspapers as well as the back files of hundreds of 20th-century local and regional titles:
- 20th-Century American Newspapers, Series 1 to 3, 1923 forward
- African American Newspapers, 1827-1998
- Hispanic American Newspapers, 1808-1980
The offer also includes two important databases of foreign news and report summaries:
- Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports, 1974-1996
- Joint Publications Research Service (JPRS) Reports, 1957-1994
Reviews of all of the databases are available from CRL’s Global Resources Forum. The terms of the offers are available through login access only to CRL libraries; contact ero@crl.edu for information on how to view these offers.
In the interest of ensuring all CRL libraries long-term access to the databases they invest in, CRL is currently in discussions with Readex about archiving arrangements. Possibilities include CRL holding an archive of the digital files and metadata; deposit of those files and metadata in a trusted digital repository; and archiving of the digital materials by Readex under an arrangement audited by CRL. More news about a sustainable archiving plan will be available in the near future.
CRL is also exploring the possibility of obtaining group pricing from ProQuest for ProQuest Newsstand (i.e., current news) and ProQuest Historical Newspapers products. CRL asks its members to respond to a survey of interest for these products, which will help shape the terms of the offer to be posted later this year.
